What should you do if time is tight? Flexible hours for working parents
Anyone who has children and works knows the feeling: the whole day is a race against the clock. If you have to work overtime or an unexpected appointment arises, you can't pick up the kids from the day care centre (Kita) on time. What can be done? Does Grandma have time? Can I ask the neighbours?
In Hamburg, working parents are entitled to a day care voucher (Kita-Gutschein). The time covered by the voucher, however, is often insufficient for certain situations - and overtime and unexpected appointments are far from unusual in today's world of work ...
In the Kitas run by the Vereinigung, you can buy additional, flexible Kita care periods for your child that go beyond the voucher issued by the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt). You can use these hours as you choose on individual days - precisely when you need additional care. This is how it works:
You buy a "package" of flexible hours in your day care centre (Kita).
You and the Kita management conclude an agreement that covers the rules described here. You can choose between a small and a larger hours package. The 40-hour package has lower hourly rates.
|
5-hour package |
40-hour package |
|
per hour |
total |
per hour |
total |
|
6,80 EUR |
34 EUR |
6,00 EUR |
240 EUR |
You decide when you use these hours.
It is important that you notify the Kita by 15.00 on the previous day. If you need extended care on the same day for quite unforeseen reasons, we will do our best - although we cannot make any promises. The extra hours can be used only within the overall opening hours of the Kita. At most of our Kitas, these are 6.00 to 18.00, Fridays to 17.00.
Even in the "flexible hours", we care for your child in its familiar environment and with qualified educational staff.
The flexible hours are also a worthwhile time for your child: playing, having fun, learning and experiencing community. If possible, your child can also spend this time with the children and educators who it knows already.
The Kita keeps a record of the hours that you use.
The time is recorded in units of half an hour. For every half-hour that is begun, the half-hourly rate must be paid. For example, if you have your child looked after for one hour and 20 minutes in addition to the normal time, one and a half hours are charged. You can ask your Kita to show you the timekeeping record at any time.
Lunch can also be covered.
If your child has an elementary half-day voucher and you use at least one extra flexible hour on one day, your child can also take lunch in the Kita during this hour. Lunch will be charged as an additional half-hour. For example, if you use an extra hour from 12.00 to 13.00 and your child receives lunch during this period, you will be charged an hour for the additional time and half an hour for lunch, i.e. 1.5 hours in all.
Drinks will be available to the children throughout the day in our Kitas. If fruit or other small snacks are provided during the additional hours, your child will also receive them - they are included in the basic price.
You don't have to use the hours within a certain period.
If your child leaves the Kita before the package has been fully used up, or if you no longer need the remaining hours for some other reason, you will get your money back.
The flexible hours are a service for children who are looked after regularly in our day care centres. But there are also flexible care services for children who do not normally attend our day care centres. Find out more about it on the Guest child care page.
Any further questions?
The management staff at your Kita will be glad to advise you and will help you to find the right solutions for you and your child. This will help you to take care of your obligations in peace - and not in a race against time.
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