Flexible childcare at home - for more compatibility of studies, career and family!

Professional reason for the care
The care costs must be incurred due to professional requirements. An "official necessity" exists if the childcare is necessary in order to be able to carry out the professional activity. This means that the childcare must take place during the working hours of the parents or one of the parents so that they can carry out their professional activity. More flexible childcare hours, for example during off-peak times or outside normal working hours, must be the result of clear official requirements.

Irregular working hours or sudden need for childcare
If changing, irregular working hours (e.g. short-term business trips) result in an unforeseen need for childcare, this may constitute a "business necessity". Changes to the care plan at short notice due to work commitments (e.g. a meeting that lasts longer) may also constitute a "business necessity", provided these changes could not have been planned in advance. There must be no regular use of flexible childcare. There must be no foreseeable need for childcare, e.g. due to company vacations in regular daycare/school operations

No private reason
Flexible childcare is not allowed to be used on a regular basis. The childcare costs need to be directly related to work. Private necessities such as leisure activities, private appointments or other personal errands do not count as work-related necessities.

Student necessity includes care that is necessary for participation in student obligations, e.g. examinations, seminars or important study events.

Every employee and student of TH Köln with a child is entitled to a maximum of nine hours of flexible childcare per year, as long as the total number of hours has not been exhausted. Please note that employees may be entitled to a pecuniary advantage by making use of this service.

Explanation:

• The use of a non-cash benefit may result in wages subject to income tax and social security contributions for employees.
• In the case of flexible childcare: there is no taxable but tax-free pay if the flexible childcare is used as part of a business requirement for children under the age of 14 and the costs for the care do not exceed € 600 per year per employee.
• Whether the tax-free amount of € 600 is exceeded can only be determined retrospectively on the basis of the annual statement from the flexible childcare provider. According to current projections, the € 600 will not be exceeded for nine hours of childcare per year.
• If it is subsequently determined that taxable wages exist because the tax-free amount was exceeded or there was no business necessity, you will be informed by the HR department and appropriate measures for determining and withholding wage tax and social security contributions will be initiated via the LBV.

Markus Paul GmbH is an experienced provider in the field of childcare and guarantees the highest quality and reliability. With a strong team of caregivers, the company ensures that every child receives individual and loving care. The childcare staff are carefully selected, regularly trained and prepared to meet the needs of children of all ages. This includes not only pedagogical skills, but also first aid knowledge and comprehensive training units in child-friendly care.

Thanks to the cooperation with TH Köln, students and employees can rely on a reliable partner who offers childcare directly at your home. This allows you to concentrate on your academic and professional commitments while your child is in safe hands. In addition, you do not have to travel long distances and childcare can take place in your child's familiar surroundings.

For childcare requests sent 24 hours in advance, Markus Paul GmbH guarantees to organize flexible childcare. Markus Paul GmbH will try to accommodate requests at shorter notice, but cannot guarantee this.

1. Registration
Click on the Markus Paul GmbH registration page.

2. Fill out the registration form
Enter your personal details and the desired childcare times in the form. In addition, please confirm the business or student need for childcare.

3. Checking the request
After submitting the form, Markus Paul GmbH will check your request for completeness and authorization.

4. Confirmation and contact
After successful verification, you will receive a confirmation of registration. At the same time, the Family Service of TH Köln will be informed. Markus Paul GmbH will then contact you to clarify all the details of the childcare and any special individual requirements.

5. Implementation of childcare/familiarization phase
The agreed childcare will take place at your home at the specified time. After a 30-minute settling-in phase, the person with parental authority can leave the childcare. At the end of the care, a handover takes place in which the care details and the procedure are explained.

Childcare wll be provided in German. Other languages cannot be guaranteed. You may include any language preferences in the "Special characteristics of the child" section on the provider’s registration page.

6. Feedback on childcare
Parents are welcome to provide Feedback about the Childcare to the Family Services of TH Köln.