When a vocation becomes a profession
Silke Wachter was self-employed as a florist for 17 years, then swapped her business for a whole flock of children and now runs Getzner's childcare centres ‘Buntspechtle’ and ‘Buntstiftle’.
Sometimes vocation takes detours. ‘When we had a new arrival after two grown-up children, I wanted to make time for her,’ Silke remembers. The florist gave up her business and quickly realised that ‘doing nothing is not for me’. A job as a holiday childminder and childminder proved to be the way forward. ‘I had time for my daughter and grew into the job that became my vocation.’ This was followed by training, specialisations and the start of Getzners Buntstiftle in 2016.
Silke now runs both the Buntstiftle and the Buntspechtle nature childcare centre with a total of around 40 children. ‘The most important thing for us is that the children enjoy learning - without being drilled or taught by rote. Children don't have to, they can - and then they want to,’ explains the educational specialist. A bird project in which quails moved into the Buntspechtle or an art project in which the children themselves became artists like Klimt or Monet are just two of the countless examples. And sometimes the pony from Silke's farm comes to visit. This year, the facilities were awarded the MINT seal of approval for their special support programme and Getzner also received the ‘Family and Career’ state prize. ‘That was very touching,’ says Silke, delighted with the recognition. ‘Work has to be fun - and thanks to my team, the trust of my parents and the support of Getzner Textil, I have one of the best jobs.’
