No kita spot: That’s how I get my childcare costs covered by Jugendamt Friedrichshain
Since last summer the Jugendämter in Friedrichshain and Pankow cover the costs for private childcare like the one we offer at juggleHUB. In this interview our community member Lisa talks about her experiences with the Jugendamt Friedrichshain and which steps she took to get her expenses for childcare covered.
About Lisa: Lisa is a PR & Marketing professional. She has ten years of experience in the travel industry, working with and representing companies and destinations around the world. She has joined juggleHUB in spring 2018 with her little daughter. https://www.lhubnerconsulting.com/
Hi Lisa, you have been working here at juggleHUB for several months now. And your daughter is in our childcare. When did you realize that you wouldn’t get a Kita spot for your desired (and needed) start date?
In September we found out that we would not be able to start, as planned, in October.
What were your greatest concerns when you found out you would not have a Kita spot?
As a freelancer, I’m in the fortunate situation that I can work quite flexibly. But it’s a huge financial challenge to organize private childcare in the necessary scope. The prospect of not being able to cover my weekly working hours with childcare for the next few months was daunting. It is an incredible, if not impossible, undertaking to try to accomplish my professional tasks while simultaneously taking care of my daughter with the necessary amount of love and patience.
By now the juggleHUB has become like a second home to us.
You chose Coworking with Childcare at juggleHUB. Can you tell us why?
We had already been using this offer before we found out that our Kita spot would not be available as planned and we both felt very happy here. The rooms are beautifully furnished and my daughter quickly built a strong relationship to the caregivers. The hours can be booked flexibly and, if necessary, very spontaneously. By now the juggleHUB has become like a second home to us.
Two weeks after our application we received the approval along with further information about the process.
You recently found out that the Jugendamt in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg would reimburse your expenses for childcare at juggleHUB. What were the necessary steps to get the approval?
Initially, I inquired about the possibility of a reimbursement for self-organized childcare with Mrs. Pätzeldt in the Jugendamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Mrs. Pätzeldt then put us on a list and in the following week the (continued) financing of the program was approved by the Senatsverwaltung (senate administration). Thereupon we had to fill out an application form. Two weeks after our application we received the approval along with further information about the process.
How high is the possible reimbursement?
Depending on the necessary childcare needs, the reimbursement for self-organized childcare outside of the family can amount to up to 1.293,94 Euro per month – minus 23,00 € for lunches.
Do you get a fixed monthly amount or do you have to submit all your childcare hours and then receive the money?
At the end of the month I submit my invoices along with an overview of the childcare hours and then I receive the reimbursement.
Were you able to get all costs reimbursed retroactively?
Yes and no – everything from the day I submitted the application was reimbursed – not, however, the costs accrued since my daughters first birthday up until we filed the application.
The best thing to do is to go straight to the open office hours (Sprechstunde) of the Jugendamt.
Do you have any tips for other parents in your situation?
The best thing to do is to go straight to the open office hours (Sprechstunde) of the Jugendamt, get all the necessary information and fill out the application. Then just come by juggleHUB and register for 2 free trial hours. Good luck!
We are so happy that you and your daughter have become part of the juggleHUB Community and will hopefully stay a part of it even when you start at your Kita. We’re always here for you on Kita holidays!
Thanks a lot for taking the time for this interview!