We lack teachers: Now, the nursery has employed 14-year-old Eva

How can we attract more young people to pursue a pedagogical education, when they grow up?

Perhaps by hiring them while they are still children.

That's what they've tried at Børnenes Hus in Hammelev in Haderslev Municipality.

Here, 14-year-old Eva Linnet works a few hours each week after school.

- I think it's great to be around the children, and for the children to learn something from what I do around them.

Eva Linnet's main task is primarily to clean up, empty trash cans, and other practical tasks, but in the long run, it is planned that she will also be involved in playing with the children. And she looks forward to it.

- I think it will be nice, because I like to be with children.

Eva Linnet has not had much direct contact with the children when she is at work. But she looks forward to playing more with them. (Photo: © Lars Paaske, DR, DR)

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Not many experiences yet

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Recently, Vejen Municipality has also begun to hire young people as young as 13 years old in daycare centers (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/boernehaver-vil-lade-unge-ned-til-13-aar-passe-boern ) to let them taste pedagogical work.

But the experiences with having younger workers in childcare centers and nurseries are limited. Therefore, municipalities should be aware that young part-time workers should not be given too much responsibility when it comes to taking care of the children.

That's what Emmy Hjort-Enemark Topholm, who is a senior researcher at the National Research and Analysis Center for Welfare, says.

- One must be incredibly attentive to the tasks they help with. And to have the necessary supervision and support around them.

In Børnenes Hus Hammelev, it has been a focus point, when Eva Linnet was hired, says leader Louise Bredvig Mimoun.

Eva is in the daycare center to solve practical tasks, while the children are around her. But she will never be alone with the children, Louise Bredvig Mimoun emphasizes.

- Eva has no responsibility for the children. She is with the children, but pedagogues and assistants take care of the children, and they will always be here.

Louise Bredvig Minoun is the leader of Børnenes Hus Hammelev, and she believes it is important to let young people sniff around pedagogical work through a part-time job. (Photo: © Lars Paaske, DR, DR)

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The goal is to have more pedagogues

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In addition to Vejen and Haderslev, a few other municipalities have also begun to hire young workers in daycare centers – among others Copenhagen and Kolding.

The goal is everywhere to let the young people taste life in a daycare center.

Louise Bredvig Mimoun hopes that the hiring of 14-year-old Eva Linnet can also push thoughts about a future as a pedagogue.

- We lack pedagogues. And we lack good stories from our field. That we can only show by giving room for them to come in and see our daily life.

Eva Linnet has now worked in the daycare center for half a year – and the job has undoubtedly given her a taste for more.

- I think I could find a way to become a pedagogue, when I grow up. I think it's nice to be with children.

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