Maren Kürger (former director) and Connor Schinkewitz (assistant director) from CompanyKids Königskinder in Hanover
News

20 Years of CompanyKids Königskinder: childcare center Celebrates a Major Anniversary

Hanover, September 1, 2026 – CompanyKids Königskinder celebrated its 20th anniversary on Wednesday. As the first company-run daycare center in Hanover, the facility—with its two groups—has provided families with a reliable place where work-life balance is a reality since its founding. To mark the occasion, the center hosted a special art opening: Under the theme “Yayoi Kusama,” the children presented works they had created over the course of several months in the workshops at the “ childcare center .” 

Thanks to the Team and Founders 

“Twenty years—at first glance, that sounds like a long time. And yet it’s clear that this place thrives because of the people who shape it,”said Regional Director Linda Kiryakos in her anniversary speech. 

Special recognition was given to Maren Krüger, the facility’s former director, for her many years of work in establishing and continuously supporting the facility, as well as to Nicole Jardon for her early leadership partnership.

A very special thank you went out to Nicole Herbst: After previously working in childcare, she returned to the field and now, as director, shapes the “ childcare center ” with a focus on pedagogy, consistency, and new ideas. Connor Schinkewitz was also welcomed as the new assistant director, bringing fresh perspectives to the team. 

An Opening Reception to Celebrate the Anniversary 

The CompanyKids Königskinder program is based on the principle of workshop-style education —with a focus on free experimentation and sensory discovery. This concept also served as the framework for the anniversary exhibition themed “Yayoi Kusama”:

For weeks, the children explored dots, circles, and curves—across all the workshops. The result was a collection of individual and group works that were lovingly arranged and displayed. 

To celebrate, numerous hands-on activities gave young and old alike the chance to get involved: A confetti table invited visitors to explore, touch, and feel; large cardboard building blocks could be decorated with dot stickers in the building workshop; and in the studio, light experiments using a projector and an overhead projector left everyone in awe. The exhibition allowed everyone to experience the children’s creativity and their joy in creating together. 

Postcards and canvases for a good cause 

The parent representatives actively supported the event: Postcards designed by the children themselves were offered for sale. Canvases, on which the children could experiment extensively with paint, were auctioned off. The proceeds will go toward a garden easel for the children—so that their creative work can continue outdoors as well. 

Contact information for CompanyKids Königskinder in Hanover 

Facility Director: Nicole Herbst 

CompanyKids Königskinder 

Königstraße 35, 30175 Hanover 

Phone: 0511 – 30025437 

Email: companykids.koenigskinder@familienservice.de 

More information:CompanyKids Königskinder

The pme Familienservice learning worlds 

With over 90 childcare and educational facilities nationwide, pme Familienservice Lernwelten is one of the largest private providers of such services. pme Familienservice views providing working parents with childcare close to their workplace as a genuine commitment by companies to work-life balance. Its educational approach focuses on flexible care hours, healthy nutrition, and high-quality education. 

About the pme Familienservice - work-life pioneer since 1991 

On behalf of more than 1,400 employers, the pme Familienservice Group helps employees successfully balance their professional and personal lives. More than 90 child care and educational facilities offer high-quality, flexible educational programs. The pme Familienservice Group operates in more than 70 locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic and employs over 2,000 staff members as well as numerous experts from various fields. 

zero Alcohol addiction in women | Podcast "Cheerful to stormy"

Cover of podcast episode 35 with a picture of Nathalie Stüben and podcast host Olli Schmidt
Psyche

Episode 35: Why women drink (with Nathalie Stüben)

Our interview guest for the latest podcast episode is author and former alcoholic Nathalie Stüben. She has been sober for almost nine years and now supports other women in getting away from alcohol. We are delighted that she talks openly in the podcast about her alcohol (in)dependency and about a topic that often remains hidden: Alcohol and women. 

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Hungover, in a bad mood and constantly tired: Nathalie Stüben drank alcohol for years, and usually far too much of it. For a long time, however, she didn't feel addicted because she didn't drink every day, but regularly drank at intervals or only after self-imposed drinking breaks until she crashed. She has been "alcohol-independent" since 2016 and is actively involved in raising awareness about alcohol dependency. 

Nathalie Stüben is known for her podcast "Ohne Alkohol mit Nathalie" and her book: "Ohne Alkohol: Die beste Entscheidung meines Lebens". Her latest book was written in collaboration with Prof. Falk Kiefer and is entitled: "Women and alcohol: how they drink, why they drink and what they gain when they stop." 

We talk to Nathalie Stüben about her very personal story and how she got rid of alcohol , as well as why women drink and how. Finally, we talk about what help is available to get out of addiction.

Shownotes:

Cheerful to stormy - the everyday podcast with Olli Schmidt

Welcome to "Heiter bis stürmisch" - the everyday podcast. Cheerful or saddened to death: life has its ups and downs. That's what we're all about: everyday crises such as arguments with your partner, parenting issues, work overload, insecurities and anxiety. We talk to experts and give you practical tips to help you deal better with crises and challenges.

You can listen to our podcast on all known podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Audible etc.)! Questions, suggestions, criticism, wishes? Feel free to write to us at: podcast@familienservice.de