Anonymous
July 24, 2026Childcare solutions used & satisfaction
If you needed childcare in the past 10 years, what childcare solutions (e.g., childcare center/nursery, nanny, family support, adjusted work schedule, etc.) did your family end up using? Are you satisfied with the availability of childcare options in your country of employment, why or why not?
My wife's employer, University of Konstanz, Germany, provides what I believe to be the best childcare in the world: https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/equalopportunities/family/childcare/kinderhaus-at-the-university-of-konstanz/ Every faculty member gets an offer for spots for each child, fairly priced, 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., plus support for extra ordinary teaching hours (individual child support until 8p.m.) or when kids are ill and must stay home. Called plan B. Other Unis can learn a lot. U of Konstanz does not have a business school though.
Joined multiple waitlists?
Did you join multiple childcare waitlists while searching for care?
No
Biggest challenges & their impact
Looking back, what were the biggest childcare challenges (e.g., long waiting times, affordability, quality, location, etc.) your family faced? How did these challenges impact your work and family life?
No such issues in Konstanz.
One thing to change
If you could change one thing about today's childcare system, what would it be? (For example: access, affordability, quality, employer or university support, emergency backup care, or anything else.)
All unis should have a system that Konstanz offers.
Additional insights
Are there any additional comments or personal insights you would like to share about childcare?
It's nice that you are working on this important topic. I understand that I am privileged and childcare is a strong reason for not switching employers...
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