Why Does the Shortage of Skilled Kita Staff Become Worse in Summer?
Summer is not accidentally the most challenging period of the Kita year. Several developments happen at the same time and reinforce each other.
Holiday absences:
During the summer months, many employees take their holidays – often during the same weeks, especially if they have school-age children themselves. As a result, staff availability decreases exactly when many children still need to be cared for.
Resignations before the new Kita year:
For many childcare professionals, summer represents a natural transition period. Those looking for a professional change often resign at the end of the operational year. This means Kitas may need to deal with several departures at the same time.
Completion of apprenticeships and job changes:
In summer, apprentices complete their training as childcare specialists (Fachfrau/Fachmann Betreuung EFZ) and often start a new position afterwards – not rarely at another Kita. At the same time, qualified professionals change employers. This creates movement throughout the entire childcare job market.
High demand for qualified staff:
Because all these factors occur simultaneously, many Kitas are looking for additional employees at the same time. Competition for the limited number of available childcare professionals is therefore particularly high in summer. Those who hesitate risk losing suitable candidates to faster competitors.
The Most Common Consequences of Staff Shortages
A staffing shortage in a Kita rarely remains without consequences. The effects go far beyond simple scheduling challenges.
Higher workload for existing teams:
When a qualified employee is missing, the remaining team members have to compensate for the gap. Additional workload, fewer breaks, and constant adjustments drain energy. Over time, the risk of further absences due to illness increases – creating a cycle that can reinforce itself.
Difficulties maintaining required child-to-staff ratios:
Cantonal regulations regarding childcare ratios are mandatory. Without enough qualified personnel, maintaining the required ratio between caregivers and children becomes challenging. In extreme cases, childcare places may need to be reduced or groups temporarily closed.
Decline in childcare quality:
When teams continuously work at their limits, educational quality suffers. There is less time available for individual attention, observation, and targeted support. Relationship-building – which is at the heart of high-quality childcare in Switzerland – can no longer receive the attention it deserves.
Dissatisfaction among employees and parents:
Overworked childcare professionals become less satisfied and this affects the daily atmosphere. Parents also notice when routines become more stressful or when contact persons constantly change. This can weaken trust in the Kita and negatively impact both family relationships and staff retention.
5 Immediate Actions to Address Short-Term Staff Shortages
When time is critical, a structured approach is essential. These five measures can help close an urgent staffing gap quickly.
1. Activate Your Existing Network
The fastest solution often comes through existing contacts. Reach out to former employees who left on good terms, as well as substitute workers and part-time employees who may be available at short notice.
People who already know your Kita require little onboarding and can become productive quickly. Ideally, maintain these relationships throughout the year so you can rely on a trusted pool of candidates when needed.
2. Use Flexible Workforce Planning
Check whether the shortage can temporarily be managed internally. Part-time employees may be willing to increase their working hours for a limited period.
Temporary adjustments to schedules, planned group combinations during quieter weeks, or more flexible working arrangements can also create additional capacity. However, solutions should always be discussed transparently with the team and implemented fairly to avoid placing too much pressure on individual employees.
3. Involve Students and Early-Career Professionals
Not every task needs to be performed by a fully qualified childcare professional. Students in social education programs, interns, or motivated career starters can provide valuable support – for example through assisting activities or supporting daily routines.
Make sure they receive proper guidance and that professional responsibility remains with qualified employees. This helps maintain childcare quality while reducing pressure on the core team.
4. Publish Job Advertisements on Specialized Platforms
Anyone looking for Kita employees quickly should advertise where the right target audience is actually searching.
General job portals may reach many people, but only a small percentage are trained childcare professionals. A Kita job advertisement can easily get lost among thousands of other listings and attract unsuitable applications.
Specialized platforms, on the other hand, bring together exactly the candidates you need – saving time and improving the quality of applications.
5. Recruit Quickly and Specifically Through Kinderkrippe.ch
This is exactly where Kinderkrippe.ch comes in. The platform specializes in Swiss childcare recruitment and connects Kitas directly with professionals actively looking for new Kita jobs in Switzerland.
Instead of reaching a broad but unfocused audience, you can specifically target childcare specialists (Fachpersonen Betreuung EFZ), group leaders, and other qualified professionals.
Your job advertisement can be published quickly and immediately becomes visible to the right audience – a crucial advantage when every week matters.
Why Fast Recruiting Is Essential
More than ever, summer proves that speed matters. Qualified childcare professionals are quickly taken off the market in Switzerland.
Those considering a career move often receive several offers in a competitive job market and usually choose the Kita that responds first and presents the most convincing opportunity.
Every week of delay makes recruitment more difficult. While a position remains vacant, pressure on the existing team increases and the risk of further absences grows.
A fast and well-organized recruitment process is therefore not a minor detail – it is a key factor for operational stability. This includes quick responses to applications, a simple recruitment process, and a channel that connects your vacancy directly with the right candidates.
Kinderkrippe.ch was developed specifically for situations like these – as a specialized recruitment platform for Swiss childcare providers.
The key benefits at a glance:
Targeted reach:
Your job advertisement appears where childcare professionals actively search for opportunities – without wasting resources on irrelevant channels.
Industry-specific candidates:
You reach qualified Kita professionals, from childcare specialists (Fachfrau/Fachmann Betreuung EFZ) and group leaders to Kita managers and career changers with an educational background.
Fast publication of job advertisements:
When staffing needs are urgent, speed is essential. Your Kita job advertisement can be published quickly and becomes immediately visible.
Visibility among childcare professionals:
Because the platform focuses exclusively on the childcare sector, you benefit from higher-quality applications and a shorter time-to-hire.
This way, an urgent staffing shortage can quickly become a stable and complete Kita team again.
Conclusion
Summer regularly presents major staffing challenges for Swiss Kitas: holiday absences, resignations before the new Kita year, job changes after apprenticeship completion, and high demand for qualified professionals all occur at the same time.
The consequences range from overloaded teams and difficulties maintaining childcare ratios to noticeable declines in quality.
Those who prepare in advance and follow a structured approach can handle this challenging period much more effectively. Activate your network, use flexible workforce planning, involve suitable support, and choose the fastest and most targeted recruitment channel to reach the right candidates.
Speed and the right platform determine whether a staffing gap becomes a long-term burden or can be quickly resolved.
Find Qualified Kita Professionals Now
Do not let a short-term staffing shortage become a burden for your team. Publish your open positions on Kinderkrippe.ch and reach the qualified childcare professionals your Kita needs – quickly, specifically, and without unnecessary outreach.
Publish your job advertisement on Kinderkrippe.ch today and find the right Kita professionals for Swiss childcare.
