Staff

Our staff form the heart and soul of our high-quality childcare. Working together as colleagues, we create a team spirit based on trust and transparency. We are all aware of the responsibilities we hold, and ensure that our conduct is respectful and takes each individual’s strengths into account.

Our daycare centres are led by qualified heads who devote their day to their leadership duties. They are supported by the management office. Each daycare centre head reports to the General Manager of the kihz daycare centres who is responsible for all HR and operational matters across the daycare centres. Each children’s group is led by 3-4 carers, who include qualified carers, early childhood educators (HF-level), trainees, and civil service workers. Our pedagogically qualified staff all hold the federally recognized qualification for professional carers (Fachfrau/-mann Betreuung).

Shaping a daycare centre into an appropriate living environment for children requires staff to examine their own values, personal goals and behaviour patterns; a willingness to pursue further training is therefore a prerequisite. Working with children requires a broad spectrum of specialist knowledge, the ability to reflect, an open mind and flexibility as well as excellent collaboration and communication skills. We are deeply aware of our role model function: not only our conduct but also our personal attitude and value system, our ability to be inspired, and the way in which we interact with other people all have a shaping influence on the children and the team.
We are faithful to the aims and values of the kihz Foundation and apply the pedagogic principles specified in the concept to our daily work. We give professional guidance to the trainees under our tuition and work on a constructive basis with our superiors and the whole team. We believe that a positive attitude to life enhances the atmosphere of the team as a whole.

Whether children, trainees, parents or pedagogically qualified staff, the daycare centre situation brings together people whose roles vary from each other. Social and cultural backgrounds also differ. It therefore cannot be assumed that mutual expectations will form a consensus; this needs to be formed on a case-to-case basis, working as partners in a process of open exchange and interaction. We see ourselves as a learning organization and strongly believe in the process of negotiation when difficult situations or differences of opinions arise. Ultimately, it is always the child’s well-being which
lies at the heart of any decisions taken.

As the operator of the daycare centres, the kihz Foundation encourages staff to pursue further training and education. It runs its own internal training courses that are obligatory for staff. In the daycare centres where groups include babies, a qualified staff member in a leadership position also has a special qualification in infant childcare.

We foster our team spirit with regular forms of exchange (intervision meetings, visits to other groups and daycare centres) and by showing mutual concern and interest. Importance is placed on using a friendly tone, and being open and honest. A collegial and cooperative atmosphere also provides emotional and professional support in the face of difficult situations. As all team members take part in the opinion- forming and decision-making process, each feels responsible for implementing these decisions. We accept and recognise that we have differing personalities and treat each other with respect. We discuss expectations and problems and seek solutions. Our communication is open, and criticism is constructive and solution-oriented. Each person’s talent is put to its full use and a motivated and pro-active work ethic is encouraged and appreciated.