I love Germany. It is a great country. But there are still things that my mind cannot comprehend.
Like imagine a young couple with a kid. The kid is going to kindergarten. No relatives in a country. No money for private child care (granny).
This is my situation btw.
I am working. My spouse isn't. She wants to work.
Problem 1:
- The kindergarten is closing at 15:30. Meaning she/me must finish at 15:00 and run to the kindergarten.
Alright, maybe working part-time is an option? Maybe.
Problem 2:
- The kindergarten has vacations.
E.g. in my case, there was a winter vacation for 2 weeks and right now the summer vacation is upcoming for 2 more weeks.
Meaning there is no other option but someone have to take the vacation. On the same date as kindergarten is closed. On the same date when it is vacations in the school. It ends on the same day as in the school => half of German families is flying back to Germany.
Meaning you are mandatory to take your vacations EXACTLY ON THESE DAYS. Meaning that Kindergarten is dictating you on when you will take your vacation.
Freedom of choice, yeah.
Problem 3:
- Any morning you may wake up to the message: hey we are understuffed today, please keep your kid at home. In some kindergartens they just ask you. In some they really deny kids from entering the kindergarten that day.
Just no comments. Imagine you both working and then one day one of you must stay home.
Problem 4:
- If something happens in the kindergarten, e.g. kid vomit (and this happens!) - there is mandatory 2 days break because it could be an infection.
=> You have to take care of the kid at home => you have to take vacation days for it.
I love Germany yes but I do not understand why children daycare is dictating on how should we take our vacation days. You obviously may take it on other days. But then who will take care of kids on these days when the kindergarten is closed? Yes, you, but as unpaid vacation.
And btw I pay for the kindergarten, it is not free in my region.
P.S. Our kindergarten is great and people there are super lovely! My son absolutely loves going there!