Risk looms over the quality of kits for staff and children, according to a warning issued by Ver.di.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, a proposed amendment to the personnel ordinance for daycare centres has sparked controversy. The changes, if implemented, could affect the staff-to-child ratios in these centres, raising concerns about the quality of care and the well-being of both children and staff.
The German trade union, ver.di, has expressed its reservations about the proposed changes. According to Andrea Becker, head of the regional department of ver.di, the measure poses a threat to the quality of care and an unbearable additional burden on employees.
The crux of the issue lies in the potential expansion of the use of auxiliary staff to replace social pedagogical specialists. Critics argue that this could mean a single specialist being responsible for up to 60 children, a situation that could be challenging, especially in difficult situations such as conflicts, emergencies, or supporting children with special needs.
Becker argues that this measure exceeds the already chronically overloaded limit of kindergarten staff and puts the well-being of children at risk. She emphasises that qualified care and early childhood education require sound expertise, which can only be guaranteed by comprehensive training.
Ver.di, in its usual advocacy, pushes for measures such as improving working conditions, increasing wages, investing in professional training and education, and hiring more qualified staff to address shortages in childcare. They also advocate for public funding increases and policy changes to support these goals sustainably.
However, for precise, up-to-date proposals from ver.di in North Rhine-Westphalia, official union publications or statements would need to be consulted.
It is important to note that high-quality care in the first years of life is essential for the development of children. Any changes that could potentially compromise this quality should be approached with caution.
The valuable work done by auxiliary staff in the daily life of the kindergarten is being exploited to an excessive degree, according to ver.di. However, the expanded use of auxiliary staff does not solve the fundamental problem of the massive shortage of skilled workers.
The planned amendment is facing criticism from employees organized by ver.di, and it remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold in the coming days. The importance of maintaining high-quality care and staff-to-child ratios in daycare centres cannot be overstated, and all parties involved must consider this carefully.
