Men in kihz

Jascha Rosenberg and Michi Walther have successfully completed their training and are now qualified early childhood educators. We would like to congratulate both of them and would like to ask how they’ve fared the past few years.

Jascha Rosenberg

Jascha, as a man, how did you find the training for this so-called women’s job?
Positive in every way. Initially I had counted on some difficulties but I was treated kindly by all. I was never told that men do not belong in this job, neither by parents, fellow students nor trainers. It was actually the opposite, everybody fully accepted me and the children liked to interact with me.

So being male actually didn’t cause you any trouble, it might even have been an advantage?
I was often the centre of attention and was immediately called for when some manual labour was needed. I was also able to prove that I perform tasks well that are considered to be more feminine. I had to do well and excel in both areas.

What did you think of the kihz as an employer?
I received support whenever I needed it! They guided and trained me very well. Another advantage of the kihz Foundation is that there are several daycare centres and I could switch to a different one every year. In this way I was able to get to know a wide range of facilities and educators and I gained experience in baby groups, in groups with children of various ages and finally also in Kindergarten.

What are your plans for the future?
At the moment I am not looking for a permanent job in a daycare centre, I prefer to be an on-call substitute. And then maybe I’ll participate in a holiday camp, as a counselor or possibly in a circus. I am considering studying social pedagogy, but I’m not in a hurry.

Michi Walther

Already in 2008 we portrayed Jascha and Michi. A good reason to have a look at our archive:
Bild des Monats März 2008

Michi, as a man did you have to face prejudice?
I didn’t really encounter any prejudice, but there were irritations. People on the street at first give you funny looks when they see a man taking care of a group of toddlers and pushing strollers. It sometimes takes a while for them to realise that a man can also take care of children.

Have you had any positive experiences?
The parents are very open and as a man you stand out and can easily come into contact with them. I was also on good terms with the teachers at the school quite quickly. The children react very naturally and when they wanted to let off steam and a boy needed to test his strength I didn’t find that disturbing or a problem, I react to that in a relaxed way.

When you were a boy did you prefer playing with dolls more than with blocks?
Not at all, I didn’t particularly fancy knitting or cooking. If I had more „feminine“ skills, I wouldn’t seem different to the children, would I? Now as a man I can breathe some new life into the daycare centre.

What do you like about this job?
I really love working with children. It is truly a gift to be able to accompany them on a part of their journey, to see how curious they are and how they learn. It is fantastic to be able to show and teach them something.

What are you doing at the moment?
I signed up as an on-call substitute, I would like to travel to the United States and I still have to do my community service. I see this training as a basis for further study, maybe social pedagogy, but I can also see myself working with the aged or with handicapped people.