The workday in daycare centers is increasingly characterized by staff shortages, high workloads, and limited resources. Leaders face the challenge of considering their team's burdens, dealing with constrained conditions, and at the same time ensuring the well-being and protection of the children entrusted to them while strengthening the entire team.
To support daycare managers, the Oberberg Education Office launched the "Qualification as a Specialist for 'Collegial Consultation / Intervision'" initiative as a pilot project in December 2025, as part of the "Round Table - Skilled Workforce Demand in Social and Educational Professions" initiative.
The project's goal was to empower leaders to reflect on challenges with professional detachment while keeping an eye on the overall situation in their facilities. Additionally, they were trained to introduce the concept of "Collegial Consultation" into their teams and establish it as a permanent component of collaboration. This allows for the exchange of experiences, utilization of team knowledge, and joint development of solutions for professional challenges.
Thanks to financial support from the Education Foundation of Kreissparkasse Köln, the program was free of charge for participants.
By June 2026, a total of 20 daycare managers from various municipalities in the Oberberg district – from Morsbach to Radevormwald – participated in the training and subsequent monthly meetings under the professional guidance of Sabine Lehmann (Systemic Organizational Consulting), divided into one group each for the northern and southern districts.
