SCANDAL in the forest kindergarten: lack of staff despite urgent needs!

SCANDAL in the forest kindergarten: lack of staff despite urgent needs!

In an absoluteSENSATIONALIn a twist, the forest kindergarten at Hochstetterhof in Mettenberg, which was launched in 2018 by a committed parents' initiative, has finally received the urgently needed staff support! This is a crucial step for the future of the children who are cared for there. With a capacity of 20 places that are almost fully utilized, the team fights to provide care under extreme conditions - even in wind and weather!

The staff on dutyonly 2.28 digitsis not only responsible for the education and upbringing of the children, but must also ensure permanent supervision in the extensive, natural area of ​​the forest kindergarten. This challenge can hardly be overcome by the four teachers at the moment!

Duty of supervision: A shocking dilemma!

INCREDIBLEis the fact that the kindergarten cannot guarantee the necessary supervision with the current minimum staffing ratio! However, the city of Biberach is very accommodating and supports the application0.5 additional positions, which can provide relief to the affected facility. The city subsidizes this position93 percent– these are impressivearound 32,000 euros annually!

The importance of the duty of supervisionwhich always exists even in unsuitable weather and on grandiose excursions,is emphatically emphasized by the city and those responsible for politics. This is what Ulrike Wachter from theSPDThe development of the forest kindergarten is “impressive” and demands that supervision must be increased to ensure the safety of the children. An urgent appeal that cannot be ignored! Also Hildegard Ostermeyer from theFDPsees the need for action and supports the increase due to the extraordinary supervisory obligations.

TheResponsibilityIt also lies with the management of the facility and the pedagogical staff - theDuty of supervisionThis includes everything, starting with handing over the children and ending with returning them to the parents who are authorized to pick them up, and must *absolutely* be communicated!

The TOP 3 absolute challenges!

• Alter und Entwicklungsstand: Die Aufsicht muss dem Alter und der Dynamik der Kinder angepasst werden, um Gefahren frühzeitig zu erkennen.
• Gruppengröße: Für eine effektive, adäquate Betreuung ist eine angemessene Fachkraft-Kind-Relation unabdingbar!
• Örtliche Gegebenheiten: Bei Ausflügen und auf dem weitläufigen Gelände des Waldkindergartens muss die Gefährlichkeit ständig im Auge behalten werden.

It is all the more shocking that other forest kindergartens in the region, such as in Ochsenhausen and Hochdorf, have *significantly* more staff available! This unequal distribution must finally be addressed in the interests of children and their safety. The head of the education department, Verena Fürgut, emphasizes that the duty of supervision in the forest kindergarten represents a special challenge that cannot be taken lightly!

The increase in the number of jobs demanded by everyone involved is not just a financial aspect;Basis for securityandPromoting developmentto self-responsible and socially capable personalities. The pressure is mounting – is this the tipping point we all needed?

Stay tuned as the coming weeks promise exciting developments on this troubling matter! What happens if the situation is not resolved sustainably?

Schwäbische.de reports that the main committee of the city of Biberach has already voted to increase the job budget. The entire discussion about the obligation to supervise is representative of the challenges in early childhood education!

Discover further details about the legal framework and challenges of supervision in daycare centers safe-kita.de and the legal background herder.de.