Gemeinde Forst-Längenbühl
Seftigen
2 quarters ago
Childminder
- 02 October 2025
- 100%
- Permanent position
- Seftigen
Job summary
Experience joyful chaos as a child caregiver with leolea! This role offers a supportive environment and flexible hours.
Tasks
- Provide care for children aged 4 months to 7.5 years daily.
- Create a structured yet fun and engaging family atmosphere.
- Communicate openly with parents to address any concerns.
Skills
- Experience with children is preferred, but not mandatory.
- Patience and adaptability to different family needs are essential.
- Enjoyment in nurturing and supporting children's development.
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About the job
"It is a cheerful bustle!"For five years, parents have had the opportunity to entrust their children to carers from the organisation leolea Thuner Westamt. To mark the anniversary, we spoke with childminder Anja Hofstetter (born 1983) from Uetendorf about her daily routine.
Ms Hofstetter, how did you become a childminder?
When my first child was born, I resigned from my position as an educator.
Then, when my son was six months old, I wanted to work again. So I registered with a Thun childminder association. That was 10 years ago now.
How did your family react to the decision?
My husband supported me from the start. He works full-time and relieves me after a long day of care. Our two children have grown up in this situation and know nothing else. The children in care are like siblings or playmates to them.
How long can such a care day last?
Currently, I care for six children aged between 4 months and 7.5 years. Together with my own two, a maximum of five children are present on any one day. Such a day can start at 7 am and last until 7 pm. There are also childminders who offer additional night or weekend care. So it is a demanding daily routine; you know in the evening what you have done (laughs).
And why do you do it?
Because you can support others who want to return to work. And because it is an enormous enrichment for everyone involved: the childminders, the children in care, and your own children. It is a great joy to accompany the children through their various stages of development, and daily life with them gives a lot back. A big advantage of this work is also that I can organise my work processes myself and at the same time be there for my own children.
Do you adapt your daily routine to your work?
The children in care are part of our family life; we are not a nursery. Nevertheless, we have our structure: meal times, rest periods, free play. And the older children are always happy to help look after the little ones, for example by giving them shopping. The daily routine is a cheerful, noisy bustle; there is always something going on (laughs)!
Did you have to make many adjustments in your household as a childminder?
No, and I knew that everything was for the protection of the children. Important are safety measures so that the stove and kettle are not accessible to the children, and that no medicines or cleaning products are within reach. Once a year, someone from leolea comes to inspect the house. And when acquiring new furniture or fittings, I keep in mind whether it is practical for children.
You are now employed by the organisation leolea. How important is the connection to a childminder organisation?
I would not recommend anyone to care for children privately. It seems extremely important to me to have people with expertise in the background who handle contracts and finances, offer further training, and intervene if there are problems with the parents.
Are there often conflicts with the parents?
So far, everything has always gone smoothly for me. Open communication is important to me.
The parents know they can give me feedback if they think something is not going their way. This prevents things from escalating.
Do you benefit from the training offered?
Yes, I regularly attend courses that are free for leolea childminders.
At the start of employment, everyone must complete basic training and first aid courses. The latter must be repeated or refreshed at least every three years.
What has changed in the past ten years as a childminder?
The topic of media, or how to deal with it, has become very central. Today, for example, it must be discussed whether children are allowed to watch TV and for how long. That is why leolea is also offering specific further training for carers in the area of digital media this year.
Do you also go on excursions?
It regularly happens that we go to a playground; we have also done day trips. But many children are in kindergarten or school, so longer excursions make little sense. We have a large garden, which is often the centre of activity.
Is it hard to say goodbye when a care relationship ends?
Of course, over the years you build a relationship with the children; you accompany them through a stage of life. It is important to maintain a professional distance. When a farewell approaches, it is addressed in a ritual, and I organise a party on the last day of care. It has also happened that my own children continued contact privately with a friend for a while.
What should future childminders bring?
Patience, openness to different family models and cultures – and of course a lot of joy in children!
27 carers in 11 municipalities
Finding the perfect care solution with childminders: leolea has been supporting families in this for five years. On behalf of the municipality of Seftigen, leolea organises the training, placement, and support of childminders. In the municipalities of Seftigen, Amsoldingen, Burgistein, Forst-Längenbühl, Gurzelen, Stocken-Höfen, Thierachern, Uetendorf, Uttigen, Uebeschi, and Wattenwil, a total of 27 childminders are currently employed. They care for 68 children from 3 months to school age. And the trend is upwards: more and more parents are choosing childminders. Compared to other care solutions, childminders offer a protected family environment; the child experiences normal family life in small groups. Furthermore, childminders offer maximum flexibility, especially for people with irregular working hours. Children are also cared for at night or on weekends if possible and needed. The childminders are carefully selected, trained, and closely supported by leolea. Every employment is preceded by a safety check in the household. Are you interested in becoming a professional childminder?
Get in touch!
You do not necessarily need a pedagogical qualification. If you have children yourself, you are also welcome. And the most important thing: the focus is on the interest in the child. Info: www.leolea.ch
