VAUDE has an in-house children's house for the children of our employees.
The compatibility of work and family is very important to us at VAUDE. To ensure that employees have a safe place to care for their children, the VAUDE Kinderhaus was established in 2001. In cooperation with the city of Tettnang, we offer a needs-oriented childcare program for children from nursery to elementary school age - and not just for our employees.
For VAUDE employees, it's good to know that the little ones are well looked after right where they work.
When VAUDE employee Markus Schelkle drops his children off at the Kinderhaus every morning, he has a good feeling.
"My children feel comfortable and safe here. I'm happy if they even say goodbye when I drop them off in the morning," grins Markus.
And if something should happen, he is only a few minutes' walk away and can be reached quickly. As Sales Manager for the Outdoor Sports division, he works in a responsible position. His wife also works for an employer further away. It can be easy to miss out on family time. The Schelkles are therefore delighted to have the opportunity to have their two offspring well looked after at the Kinderhaus. On two days, the children are also there in the afternoons, the remaining days for half a day.
The flexible childcare times ensure a good work-life balance.
The Kinderhaus is open all day four times a week to provide parents and children with flexible childcare in the interests of the best possible work-life balance. A situation that many VAUDE employees are envious of in their circle of friends.
"For a company of our size, it is not a matter of course to have in-house childcare. This is more common in large corporations in big cities. For us as a family, the situation is great for combining work and family life," says Markus happily.
The VAUDE Kinderhaus has been around since 2001 and has already won several awards.
The Kinderhaus was opened in 2001 after a needs survey among VAUDE employees was positive. This created an opportunity for parents to continue working - half-day or full-day, as needed. The concept has been very well received, which is reflected not least in the high birth rate.
In 2001, our Kinderhaus was honored with the "Freedom and Responsibility" award by the then Federal President Johannes Rau and in 2005 VAUDE was named one of the 35 most family-friendly companies in Germany in the national "Success Factor Family" competition. in 2013, we were awarded the title "Family-conscious company" by the state of Baden-Württemberg.
Family friendliness, including childcare, is an important pillar of VAUDE's corporate culture and also ensures more equality in the workplace.
"In 2006, we opened another crèche group due to growing demand. Since then, there have been places available for 31 children in two groups," says Miriam Schilling, VAUDE HR Manager, who is pleased with the positive development of the nursery.
One group is a pure crèche group up to the age of three, the other is a mixed-age group for crèche to school children. We also offer afternoon care for school children up to the age of ten.
The children receive lunch from the in-house organic canteen. This offer makes it possible for mothers in particular to return to work soon after giving birth. Combined with flexible working time models, we have also been able to increase the proportion of female managers, for example.
"It's great to see that, as an employer, we have a direct influence on equal career development when we create family-friendly conditions that also promote the quality of life of our employees," says Miriam Schilling.
The children are professionally looked after in small, child-friendly groups - even during vacation periods.
"Thanks to the small groups, we have a family atmosphere and focus on the needs of the individual child. What's more, the older children are happy to help the younger ones. I like that," says Sylvia Roth, head of the Kinderhau.
Pedagogically, the situation-oriented approach is followed with elements of Reggio pedagogy. In practice, this means, for example, that the children choose a project topic in a conference according to their interests, which they then work on together. The children are well looked after by a large team of educators and extensive care is also offered during the vacations. "In our mixed-age group, we have very few fixed closing days per year. This gives parents more flexibility when planning vacations," explains Sylvia.
The VAUDE Kinderhaus is part of the municipal services offered in partnership with the town of Tettnang
"VAUDE is considered an attractive employer in the region and the company kindergarten also has a good reputation," says Patricia Hawel, certified specialist advisor for daycare centers in the town of Tettnang. Many parents from the surrounding area would specify the VAUDE Kinderhaus as their preferred daycare center when allocating places.
Not only VAUDE employees benefit from the Kinderhaus advantages, but also other parents in Obereisenbach and Tettnang.
There is a contractual agreement with the city of Tettnang that 25 percent of the childcare places are available for children of employees. The remaining places are allocated according to the city's allocation criteria; the same funding guidelines apply as for kindergartens run by other independent providers, e.g. churches. In return, the town of Tettnang contributes 75 percent of the costs for the daycare center. Such a mixed form serves the interests of both the town and the company.
So far, however, the VAUDE Kinderhaus is the only company childcare facility in the Tettnang area. "Companies approach us or think about it," says Patricia Hawel. However, there is usually no willingness to put up the money.
"The partnership between VAUDE and Tettnang is a showcase project that transcends municipal boundaries. It only works with a shared willingness," says Patricia Hawel.
Unfortunately, this is where many municipalities and companies fail. The city's contact person particularly appreciates the open, solution-oriented approach with the VAUDE Kinderhaus management, especially when it comes to difficult cases: "At VAUDE, the focus is always on the child. That makes a big difference." However, the collaboration also goes beyond day-to-day issues. For example, a meeting of the daycare center managers from the city of Tettnang took place in the VAUDE company canteen, which met with a very positive response from the community. "The commitment stands and falls with the attitude of the provider. And VAUDE's attitude is exemplary," says Patricia Hawel.
Find out more about the VAUDE Kinderhaus here.