Büro meets Kita: "We reinvent childcare"

So-called "coworking spaces" are already known from many cities. Freelancers and founders in particular value the flexibility and creative exchange in office communities, where people from different industries come together. In Berlin, a group of parents wants to expand the concept: In "Coworking Toddler" there should also be rooms for childcare and meals in the offices. Currently the project is in the crowdfunding phase (until 14.6.). But the first coworking toddler office will soon be in Berlin. Further locations are planned.

We asked foundress Sandra Runge what they should look like and what their parents and children have.

Sandra Runge belongs to the founding team of "Coworking Toddler". The lawyer also runs the blog Smart Mama, in which she educates mothers about their rights.

ChroniquesDuVasteMonde MOM: Why do you think that parents and children are better off when work and child care are close to each other?

Sandra Runge: In the first years of life children still need their parents very much. At the same time, parents want to work? Or you have to. So that both fit together as well as possible, it is almost logical that you have to bring the two worlds together in one place to do justice to both. That means less stress? alone, because you save the extra way to the daycare in the morning, but of course also because the parents are never far away, but always within reach. Everyone, especially the children, feels it is a community in which everyone still has their freedom.

To whom do you direct your offer? Especially to self-employed people? Or can employees benefit as well?

Parents who work independently or whose employers allow them to work in the home office or away from work are certainly our biggest target group. But we also want to show companies that they can prove true family friendliness with our concept and be rewarded with happier and ultimately more efficient employees. We are already talking to companies about this.

How should the rooms in such an office be divided?

There are three areas at each location: the rooms for the children, where they are lovingly cared for by the educators, the offices and a common area where children and parents can meet during the day for small breaks and spend time together. There, parents, children and educators also have lunch together. We are planning for the first location in Berlin for about 10 to 15 children and their parents.

How close are the children at the workplaces? Can you visit the parents at any time or just in breaks?

Everyone will spend their day next to each other. But just as the children are not supposed to walk into the office at any time, parents should not go to the children's area all the time. This is as important for concentrated work on the one hand as it is for the educators and their educational work. Whenever a child needs mom or dad, the educators can notify and they all meet in the common room.

At Coworking Toddler, the children are looked after by professional educators.

Does not the concentration suffer anyway when I know that next door my child is playing ???

As a rule, parents understand it very well to use time windows and they will appreciate it if they find a professional work environment. In the community office, one usually works more efficiently than, for example, in the home office. Our personal experience also makes use of this freedom in a productive way. And if I know that my child is very close and well cared for, then I feel well and I can calm down to my tasks.

How do you want to finance the offer? The childcare is to run on the publicly funded system: In Berlin you need a kitaguchschein from the Senate. We are currently in the application process, in good contact with the authorities and hope that we will receive the funding. Add to this the Coworking Space, where parents rent a desk? the cost will be based on the prices of other co-working spaces.

Are there any role models for your concept?

Coworking Toddler is inspired by the Rockzipfel project, which exists, for example, in Leipzig and Hamburg, where the parents themselves or volunteers look after the children. There are also international coworking spaces with child care, including in Tokyo, San Francisco and London.

You also started a crowdfunding, how is this going?

We get a lot of positive feedback, and we've already received support from the 100 people. Nevertheless, it is hard to be noticed in the amount of projects.But we will certainly exceed the funding threshold of 15,000 euros and can open the first location in Berlin. For us, it is particularly important to see that there are many supporters of the idea, who show with their donation: It is time that the child care is rethought and oriented to the needs of families.

So you can support coworking toddlers

Crowdfunding runs until June 14, 2015. If you like the idea, you can donate it. How much you want to donate, you can of course decide for yourself. Each donor also gets a "thank you".

Click here for the crowdfunding campaign.

Further information can be found at coworkingtoddler.com.