- Berlin's early childcare providers have a higher illness prevalence.
In 2023, professionals working in childcare and education in Berlin took more sick days than the average across all professions, as reported by the Bertelsmann Foundation after analyzing data from DAK health insurance. On average, these workers, including those in kindergartens, after-school care, and children's homes, were unwell and off work for approximately 36 days (35.7). The average for all jobs was roughly 20 days (20.4).
The sick leave percentage, which is the proportion of medically-certified sick days to scheduled workdays, was also higher at 9.8%, compared to the average of all professions (5.6%). Berlin had the highest rates for both the number of work absence days and the sick leave percentage when compared to other states.
Respiratory Infections Dominated as the Main Cause
The trend was similar nationwide. In 2023, the average number of sick days for childcare and education workers was nearly 30 days (29.6), compared to 20.1 days for all professions. The sick leave percentage was 8.1% (5.5% for all professions).
As per the study, respiratory infections were the most frequent reason for absences among kindergarten or after-school care workers in 2023. Psychological disorders came in second. Interestingly, the number of work absence days due to psychological disorders has significantly increased in childcare in recent years and is higher than the average for all professions.
The Workload Keeps Increasing
The Bertelsmann Foundation suggests that many institutions are stuck in a cycle: "Due to rising sick leave rates, more and more specialists are absent, which further increases the workload for the remaining workers," explained Anette Stein, the foundation's expert on early childhood education. "High-quality early childhood education, care, and upbringing is becoming increasingly difficult in many places." The foundation advocated for reducing the workload for pedagogical specialists and covering absences with qualified substitutes.
The foundation uses the term "Kita" in its study to encompass not only kindergartens or nurseries, but also workers in after-school care or youth homes.
Childcare professionals in Berlin, including those in kindergartens and after-school care, often require more than three weeks of sick leave each year, as evidenced by the data from 2023. Due to the high number of sick days, the workload for the remaining childcare workers in Berlin continues to increase, making it challenging to provide high-quality childcare.
