Reserved Spots and Company Daycare Centers: Child Care as an Employee Benefit
On-site child care, whether through reserved spots at participating facilities or the company’s own on-site daycare centers, is an important benefit for employees. Read here to learn about the advantages of on-site child care and how pme Familienservice supports companies with reserved spots and on-site daycare centers.
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According to a study by the IW Cologne, there is still a shortage of childcare center spots in Germany. As a result, 14.2 percent of children under the age of three do not have a childcare center spot. The situation is particularly dire in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
What are reservation slots in " childcare centers"?
Reserved spots are spots at childcare center that are specifically reserved for a company’s employees. While regular spots are usually allocated through municipal waiting lists, companies can use reserved spots to actively influence the childcare situation for their employees.
What are the benefits of designated parking spaces for employees?
By providing spots at childcare centers , employers offer their employees high-quality childcare “right at their doorstep.” Parents are spared the often-arduous search for a suitable spot at childcare center; they have planning certainty from the start and feel that their needs are valued.
childcare centers ’s reserved spots are especially valuable for employees from abroad (expats). Moving from another country involves a lot of organizational effort, and on top of that, there’s the challenge of starting a new job. With reserved spots at pme Lernwelten-childcare centers , employees can avoid the time-consuming search for a spot at childcare center and can immediately enroll their child in a high-quality childcare center .
Additional benefits:
- Flexible childcare times
- Long opening hours, few closing times
- Childcare Regardless of the Children's Place of Residence
- Extended care hours as needed
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"Since 2013, Amprion has been offering its employees childcare spots in childcare centers . Due to the high level of interest among our staff, new childcare centers and spots have been added steadily over the years. We now offer 54 childcare spots in 7 childcare centers , including at pme-childcare centers Lumiland, and Florakinder. Thanks to this partnership, we are able to meet the demand and, as a rule, place every child in a childcare center .
Feedback from employees has been consistently positive. They view this program as a valuable source of relief in their daily lives and as a sign that their family needs are taken seriously by their employer. At the same time, the program enhances our appeal as an employer, fosters employee loyalty to the company, and makes it easier for employees to return to work after parental leave."
Lena Neumann, Social Affairs and Benefits
Amprion GmbH
What are the benefits of job placements for employers?
Providing their employees with parking spaces at childcare centers offers employers a wide range of benefits:
- Increasing the company's appeal as an employer; positioning itself as a family-friendly and responsible employer
- Support for an Early Return to Work After Parental Leave
- Planning certainty for the company and its employees
- Reducing unplanned absences through reliable child care
- Increasing Employee Satisfaction and Retention
- Benefits of Recruiting
How can companies reserve parking spaces at childcare centers ?
From individual spaces to large blocks, whether you’re a startup, an SME, or a large corporation: The “ pme Lernwelten ” (childcare centers ) locations throughout Germany offer suitable spaces to meet every need, which you can allocate flexibly.
We'd be happy to assist you:
Sabine Rösler, Business Customer Service
Phone: 0511-70020035
Email: gkb-hannover@familienservice.de
"Since 2012, we have been offering our employees reserved spots at the pme Familienservice " childcare centers " daycare centers. We currently have 18 spots at the Cologne-based " childcare centers " centers: Florakinder, pme Kids at Melaten, and Stadtwaldkinder. Our employees appreciate the reliable care, the high educational quality, the relief it provides in finding childcare center, and the improved work-life balance. For parents, this program provides planning certainty and makes it easier to return to work after parental leave. This benefits not only the employees themselves but also the various departments, as it allows for better planning of personnel resources. At the same time, the program enhances our appeal as an employer and promotes long-term employee loyalty to the company."
Samira Holthausen, Department of Human Resources Management and Policy Issues
DEVK Insurance
What sets the pme Familienservice 's " childcare centers " apart?
The pme Familienservice operates more than 90 childcare and educational facilities throughout Germany. Here’s what sets them apart:
Forward-looking educational approaches with a focus on areas such as animal-assisted education, the Pikler approach, media education, language development and multilingualism, as well as participation and children's rights.
Services for Parents: Long hours and plenty of flexibility help parents balance work and childcare more easily. Our 24/7 hotline provides support to parents with questions and problems. Thanks to the parent app, parents can easily register their child, communicate with the team, and get a glimpse into their child’s day.
Meals all day long —healthy and child-friendly: Our in-house meal program adheres to the quality standards of the German Nutrition Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e. V.) and combines balanced nutrition, sustainability, and nutrition education. Many of our facilities feature a kitchen that prepares fresh meals on-site.
What is a company daycare center?
A company daycare center is a childcare center provided by companies or government agencies for the children of their employees. Company daycare centers are often located on company premises or in the immediate vicinity. Companies may operate these centers themselves or delegate their operation to a nonprofit or private organization.
What are the benefits of a company daycare center for employers and employees?
By operating their own on-site daycare center, employers offer their employees childcare that fits their work life. This provides them with extensive opportunities to influence various aspects, such as:
- Hours of operation, e.g., for early or late shifts
- Location of the Facility
- Group Structure
- Seat allocation
How does the pme Familienservice help with setting up an on-site daycare center?
Whether you book individual services or opt for the all-inclusive package, the pme Familienservice is here to support you through every step of the process of setting up a company daycare center:
- Needs Assessment: Work with us to determine the appropriate number of spots and groups.
- All About Real Estate: Property Search, Additions and Renovations, Child-Friendly Design
- childcare center 's Funding and Financial Aid Opportunities
- Pedagogical concept
- Attract & retain staff
- Assistance with Applying for an Operating Permit
- Law & Safety: Insurance, Labor Law and Occupational Safety, Data Protection & More
- Quality Assurance and Content Development
Learn more about company daycare centers
Why does workplace child care benefit both companies and families?
Reliable, high-quality child care has an impact that extends far beyond individual families. It provides children with opportunities for education and participation, helps parents balance family and work, and enables companies to attract and retain qualified employees over the long term.
This is where the availability of childcare spots and company-run daycare centers comes into play. When companies take on some of the responsibility for providing a reliable childcare infrastructure, they are not only investing in their employees’ work-life balance. They are investing in children and families—and thus in the future of our society.
childcare centers , part of the pme Lernwelten , sees itself as a place for children to learn and grow, and as a reliable partner for families and businesses.
Source: BMFSFJ
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Childcare Spots and Company Daycare Centers
What are reservation slots in " childcare centers"?
Reserved spots are spots at childcare center that a company sets aside—either permanently or for a specific period—for the children of its employees. This makes it easier for employees to access reliable child care and provides them with greater planning certainty.
What are the benefits of designated parking spaces for businesses?
Designated childcare spots enhance a company’s appeal as an employer, support a smooth return to work after parental leave, and can improve employee retention. Reliable childcare also makes workforce planning easier and can reduce unplanned absences.
What is a company daycare center?
A company- childcare center is a daycare center provided by a company or government agency for the children of its employees. It is often located on the company premises or in the immediate vicinity. The company can operate the daycare center itself childcare center or contract an external provider to do so.
What is the difference between a daycare spot and a company daycare center?
With a reserved spot, a company reserves spots at an existing childcare center. A company daycare center, on the other hand, is provided specifically for the employees of one or more companies and can be tailored more closely to their needs—for example, in terms of hours of operation, location, and spot allocation.
How does the pme Familienservice support companies in securing childcare spots and operating company daycare centers?
pme Familienservice advises companies on selecting and securing childcare spaces, as well as on planning and implementing an on-site daycare center. Its services include, among other things, needs assessment, property search, construction and renovation, financing, educational concepts, permits, staff recruitment, legal matters, safety, and quality assurance.
