Influence of the institutional framework
Do the insufficient institutional framework conditions affect the quality of early childhood care and education in Germany? Yes, absolutely.
Importance of early childhood educator staff
However, what plays a crucial role for the realization of good early childhood care and education is – in my opinion – the staff performing the work there.
Early years educators make facilities!
Causes of deficiencies in the preschool sector
And here, in my opinion, lies the cause of some bad states of affairs in the German preschool field:
- Shocking: The staff shortage. With below-average staffing, only the “mass farming” or “mass supervision” of children is possible.
- Paradoxical: In this so demanding elementary education field, where 0-5-year-old “students” are supposed to be supported and encouraged in their development (in addition to their family care and education), there are not enough qualified professionals working there. Unbelievable. Why aren’t low-qualified professionals employed to educate the older “students” in schools or universities?
Therefore, my standpoint:
The early years of childhood are the most crucial developmental phase. And in the very first out-of-family education facilities, only competent, highly qualified professionals should be engaged in caring for and educating young children. I mean genuine professionals who have consciously chosen the early childhood care and education field, not just because they “love children” or “enjoy playing with children.”
What distinguishes competent early childhood professionals?
German Kitas should employ educators who possess sensitivity, emotional stability, patience, compassion, social skills, a customer-oriented attitude, an appreciative and culturally sensitive perspective, a competence- and solution-oriented attitude, sophistication and scientifically based expertise.
The influence of incompetent Kita staff
Working with incompetent early years practitioners can be quite exhausting and toxic for everyone involved. And it has anything but a positive impact on the quality of the early childcare and education services.
What can competent early childhood professionals do?
I was always amazed: genuine professionals possess the ability to master miserable, suboptimal Kita conditions with poise and cheerful composure. They have a different attitude and a different focus. The true professionals are capable of transforming even unfavourable spatial and material environments into wonderful places filled with liveliness, playful creativity, laughter, and joyful learning adventures.
„I, however, find that even with every sorrow, there still remains something beautiful. When you reflect on that, you discover more joy, and you become balanced again. And those who are happy will also make others happy. Those who have courage and faith will not perish in misfortune!“ (Anne Frank)
Conclusion: competent early childhood practitioners are essential
Therefore, in the meantime I became convinced: despite the Kita statutory framework that needs improvement, a satisfactory quality of educational work could certainly be achieved under the current conditions; but only if competent staff is employed.
Responsibility and diversity of tasks of early years educators
Because during Kita days, there’s more to be performed than just fulfilling a duty of supervision, meeting basic physical needs, and ensuring free play. The tasks of early childhood educators are diverse and carry a great deal of responsibility. The roles they take on are very diverse and require attentiveness, sensitivity and spontaneity.
The field of early childcare and education in Germany urgently needs more truly competent and comprehensively trained professionals.
Critical questioning: A look at other professions
These may be bold claims for some readers?!
A question about that: Are there adults who allow themselves or their sick children to be treated by non-medical staff? Why go to a trained doctor? We can also receive medical treatment from non-medical staff, as long as they speak to us in a friendly manner? Then anyone can treat us medically?!
Are there any adults who would allow themselves to be transported in an aircraft controlled by non-professionals? Why do we need well-trained pilots and give them sole responsibility for flying aircraft machines?
Why is it “normal” in Germany to regularly entrust toddlers and preschoolers to low-qualified or non-specialist staff who sometimes have no knowledge of early childhood development and education processes?
Critical reflexion and “movement”
I know I’m different. I ask a lot of questions. But without thinking, questioning, and reflection, there is no movement. And where there is no movement (be it in personal or professional terms) and where established ways of thinking and acting are unreflectively adopted from generation to generation, there is a standstill.
