Daycare Provider
Gemeinde Forst-Längenbühl
Seftigen
Key information
- Publication date:02 October 2025
- Workload:100%
- Contract type:Unlimited employment
- Place of work:Seftigen
"It is a cheerful bustle!"
For five years, parents have had the opportunity to entrust their children to caregivers from the organization leolea Thuner Westamt. On the anniversary, we talked with the daycare provider Anja Hofstetter (born 1983) from Uetendorf about her daily routine.
Ms. Hofstetter, how did you become a daycare provider?
When my first child was born, I quit my job as an educator.
Then, when my son was six months old, I wanted to work again. So I registered with a Thun daycare parents' association. That was 10 years ago now.
How did your family react to the decision?
My husband supported me from the beginning. He works full-time and relieves me after a long day of care. Our two children have grown into this situation and know nothing else. The cared-for children are similar to siblings or playmates for them.
How long can such a care day last?
Currently, I care for six daycare children between 4 months and 7.5 years old. Together with my own two, a maximum of five children are present on any given day. Such a day can start at 7 a.m. and last until 7 p.m. There are also daycare providers who additionally offer 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 life. And because it is an enormous enrichment for all involved, for the daycare providers, the cared-for children, and their own children. It is a great joy to accompany the children in their various developmental stages, and everyday life with them gives back a lot. A big advantage of this work is also that I can organize my work processes myself and at the same time be there for my own children.
Do you adapt your workday?
The cared-for children are part of our family routine; we are not a daycare center. Nevertheless, we of course have our structure: meal times, rest periods, free play. And the older children also like to help look after the little ones, for example by giving them shopping. The daily routine is a cheerful, loud bustle; something is always going on (laughs)!
Did you have to adjust a lot in your household as a daycare provider?
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 or that no medications and cleaning agents are within reach. Once a year, someone from leolea comes to inspect the house. And when buying new furniture or setting up, I keep in mind whether it is practical for children.
You are now employed by the organization leolea. How important is the connection to a daycare parents' organization?
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 way, nothing escalates.
Do you benefit from the training offered?
Yes, I regularly attend courses that are free for leolea daycare providers. At the beginning of the employment relationship, everyone must also 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 daycare provider?
The topic of media, or dealing with it, has become very central. Today, for example, it must be discussed whether children are allowed to watch TV or for how long. That is why leolea is also offering a specific training this year for caregivers in the area of digital media.
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 trips make little sense. We have a large garden, which is often the center 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 phase of life. It is important to maintain a professional distance. When a farewell approaches, it is addressed in a ritual, and I organize a party on the last day of care. It has also happened that my own children continued contact with a playmate privately for a while.
What should future daycare providers bring?
Patience, openness to different family models and cultures - and of course a lot of joy with children!
27 caregivers in 11 municipalities
Finding the perfect care solution with daycare providers: leolea has been supporting families in this for five years. On behalf of the municipality of Seftigen, leolea organizes the training, placement, and support of daycare providers. In the municipalities of Seftigen, Amsoldingen, Burgistein, Forst-Längenbühl, Gurzelen, Stocken-Höfen, Thierachern, Uetendorf, Uttigen, Uebeschi, and Wattenwil, a total of 27 daycare providers are currently employed. They care for 68 children from 3 months to school age. And the curve is rising: more and more parents are choosing daycare providers. Compared to other care solutions, daycare providers offer a protected family environment; the child experiences normal family life in small groups. In addition, daycare providers 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 daycare providers are carefully selected, trained, and closely supervised by leolea. Every employment is preceded by a safety check in the household. Are you interested in becoming a professional daycare mother or father yourself?
Sign up!
You do not necessarily have to have a pedagogical education for this. 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
For five years, parents have had the opportunity to entrust their children to caregivers from the organization leolea Thuner Westamt. On the anniversary, we talked with the daycare provider Anja Hofstetter (born 1983) from Uetendorf about her daily routine.
Ms. Hofstetter, how did you become a daycare provider?
When my first child was born, I quit my job as an educator.
Then, when my son was six months old, I wanted to work again. So I registered with a Thun daycare parents' association. That was 10 years ago now.
How did your family react to the decision?
My husband supported me from the beginning. He works full-time and relieves me after a long day of care. Our two children have grown into this situation and know nothing else. The cared-for children are similar to siblings or playmates for them.
How long can such a care day last?
Currently, I care for six daycare children between 4 months and 7.5 years old. Together with my own two, a maximum of five children are present on any given day. Such a day can start at 7 a.m. and last until 7 p.m. There are also daycare providers who additionally offer 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 life. And because it is an enormous enrichment for all involved, for the daycare providers, the cared-for children, and their own children. It is a great joy to accompany the children in their various developmental stages, and everyday life with them gives back a lot. A big advantage of this work is also that I can organize my work processes myself and at the same time be there for my own children.
Do you adapt your workday?
The cared-for children are part of our family routine; we are not a daycare center. Nevertheless, we of course have our structure: meal times, rest periods, free play. And the older children also like to help look after the little ones, for example by giving them shopping. The daily routine is a cheerful, loud bustle; something is always going on (laughs)!
Did you have to adjust a lot in your household as a daycare provider?
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 or that no medications and cleaning agents are within reach. Once a year, someone from leolea comes to inspect the house. And when buying new furniture or setting up, I keep in mind whether it is practical for children.
You are now employed by the organization leolea. How important is the connection to a daycare parents' organization?
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 way, nothing escalates.
Do you benefit from the training offered?
Yes, I regularly attend courses that are free for leolea daycare providers. At the beginning of the employment relationship, everyone must also 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 daycare provider?
The topic of media, or dealing with it, has become very central. Today, for example, it must be discussed whether children are allowed to watch TV or for how long. That is why leolea is also offering a specific training this year for caregivers in the area of digital media.
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 trips make little sense. We have a large garden, which is often the center 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 phase of life. It is important to maintain a professional distance. When a farewell approaches, it is addressed in a ritual, and I organize a party on the last day of care. It has also happened that my own children continued contact with a playmate privately for a while.
What should future daycare providers bring?
Patience, openness to different family models and cultures - and of course a lot of joy with children!
27 caregivers in 11 municipalities
Finding the perfect care solution with daycare providers: leolea has been supporting families in this for five years. On behalf of the municipality of Seftigen, leolea organizes the training, placement, and support of daycare providers. In the municipalities of Seftigen, Amsoldingen, Burgistein, Forst-Längenbühl, Gurzelen, Stocken-Höfen, Thierachern, Uetendorf, Uttigen, Uebeschi, and Wattenwil, a total of 27 daycare providers are currently employed. They care for 68 children from 3 months to school age. And the curve is rising: more and more parents are choosing daycare providers. Compared to other care solutions, daycare providers offer a protected family environment; the child experiences normal family life in small groups. In addition, daycare providers 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 daycare providers are carefully selected, trained, and closely supervised by leolea. Every employment is preceded by a safety check in the household. Are you interested in becoming a professional daycare mother or father yourself?
Sign up!
You do not necessarily have to have a pedagogical education for this. 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
