Leoma or family sponsor: childcare options

Unlike an au pair or a nanny, the child minders usually look after several children from different families and at home.

"Lend to grandma": Those who do not have their own relatives nearby would be happy to receive such an advertisement. Fortunately, there are alternatives: They range from volunteers to paid service providers.

In the afternoon to the doctor, on Saturday shopping in peace and in the evening for two to the cinema? Often a balancing act for parents. Today it is the exception rather than the rule that grandma and grandpa live in the house opposite. The good news: That is precisely why there are more and more childcare options outside of relatives. Some are paid, others waste their time. An overview:

Help from the neighborhood

A 17-year-old lives in the apartment next door, who saves on his driving license and likes to read fairy tales? bull’s-eye! "Neighborhood teenagers are the proven classic when it comes to finding a babysitter", explains Uta Linß, managing director of the family center "Klara" in Freiburg. "I know them, I trust them, and the distances are short so that I can be sure that they will come home well in the evening."

It is important to take out liability and accident insurance for permanent babysitters and to register them with the mini job center. In the case of minors, Linß recommends asking how long and at what times they are allowed to work, depending on their age. "At the German Red Cross or through local family education centers, there is also the opportunity for young people to take a babysitting course."

Babysitter through agencies or databases

Anyone who uses a babysitting agency saves the time and effort of looking for it themselves: The agency arranges people who are generally well qualified, have been personally checked and have had to present their police clearance certificate. Databases such as the online platforms Yoopies or betreut.de also replace them "Looking for a babysitter"-Display. But Uta Linß warns: "If someone should look after my child, my personal feeling is the most important thing." Therefore advises her to settle in to have enough time to build a relationship of trust.

Leihoma or Leihopa

Some rental grandparents work on a voluntary basis or for a small allowance, others receive a fee similar to that of babysitters. About organizations like the German Red Cross, family centers, workers’ welfare or online databases can be used to find and find new family members.

"Leihomas often don’t have their own grandchildren nearby", explains Kerstin Tempel from the Siegen Mothers Center and Managing Director of the Federal Association of Mothers Centers. "They often develop a close relationship with the children and really belong to the family." Grandparents and grandchildren also come together through associations such as elective affinities. "It is like a dating meeting for groups", says Linß. "It’s not about exchanging services, but about finding someone who fits your own family."

Childminder

Parents are known to replace daycare centers – but they can often be used flexibly, as Linß explains. Kerstin Tempel tells: "I had my children looked after hourly by a childminder before they started kindergarten." Since her parents and parents-in-law live far away, she was able to create the necessary freedom to work or go to the dentist. Unlike an au pair or a nanny, the child minders usually look after several children from different families and at home. It is a professional activity requiring a permit.

Volunteers

Many families lack the money for childcare outside of the state-sponsored opportunities. However, there are many projects that work with voluntary helpers, for example the family sponsors, known as child sponsors or generally as active sponsors, depending on the region and application. "In Siegen, this project is called time sponsor", so temple. "They support parents in everyday life, take care of the children – so give the parents time."

you have always the same sponsor to build a solid relationship, explains Linß. "These sponsors are accompanied and trained by institutions. They can be taught through the Child Protection Association and similar programs." Linß also recommends visiting open meetings and baby cafés to get to know parents in a similar situation. Often you can support each other.

AU Pair

The au pair normally lives with the family. If you want to take someone in permanently, you need the right space – because an au pair has the right to have their own lockable room, says Cordula Walter-Bolhöfer, managing director of the quality association au pair. Au pairs look after the children 30 hours a week, in return the family pays for board and lodging. In addition, the parents have to pay a monthly allowance of 260 euros, add 50 euros to a language course and pay about 40 euros per month for the guest’s health, liability and accident insurance.

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Christina Cherry
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