International Contact #1

I had the opportunity to meet a young woman in college that eventually married a great man that served in the US Army. Last year her family was forced to move to Germany where her husband was being stationed. Jenna Bonin was more my sister friend that gradually turned into a mutual friend, so when she moved and started a child care business from her home in Germany, I knew I had a great international resource and connection. Currently, Jenna and her family reside in Ramstein, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany where child care is more centered on family instead of government educational systems. Jenna explained that beginning in August 2013, parents will be entitled to a monthly supplement of €100 ($128 US) for each child between the ages of 15 months and three years that are cared for in home care rather than in a day-care facility. The payment will rise to €150 a month in 2014. The subsidy will cost taxpayers an estimated €30 0 million in 2013 and €1.1 billion in 2014. This sounds awesome for her being a home based center, but for taxpayer it seems a little overwhelming to image billions going to child care regardless if you are using it or not. Another huge issue brought up regarding this plan is the fear it will discourage women from joining the workforce and encourage immigrant families to keep their children out of German day-care centers, which leads to lowing employment rates.

Germany is a country that is facing economic hardships in certain areas and thriving in others, but the population is increasing steadily which creates a huge need for childcare and educational systems. “Coming from the US and moving to a country that as such a change in the profession was interesting to adjust to, but getting better after being in Germany for a year now,” said Jenna. It was also fascinating to me that the government would give out money to parents that use home child care centers and not system based ones, it is completely opposite in the US. It will fun to see how the profession changes in August and throughout the year, I look forward to speaking with Jenna a lot about this development and the profession there in general.