Three Types of Work Intervals
When logging daily working hours in KiDig, each time interval is assigned one of three types. This classification is not just for record-keeping -- it directly affects staffing ratio calculations required by KVJS (Kommunalverband für Jugend und Soziales) in Baden-Württemberg and similar authorities in other federal states.
1. Care Time (Betreuungszeit)
Time spent directly with children. This includes all hours where the employee is physically present in the group room, on the playground, or otherwise actively engaged in childcare.
- Counts toward the staff-to-child ratio
- Example: 7:30--12:00 in the group, 14:00--16:30 afternoon care
2. Disposal Time (Verfügungszeit)
Regularly scheduled non-care work time. This covers planned activities that happen outside of direct childcare but are part of the normal work routine:
- Preparation and follow-up (Vor- und Nachbereitung)
- Team meetings
- Parent conversations
- Documentation and reporting
- Administrative tasks during scheduled prep periods
Disposal Time is expected and budgeted. It appears in the weekly plan and is part of the employee's regular schedule.
- Does not count toward the staff-to-child ratio
- Example: 12:00--13:00 daily prep time, 16:30--17:00 documentation
3. Irregular Disposal Time (Unregelmäßige Verfügungszeit)
Unplanned or occasional non-care work time. This covers activities that fall outside the regular schedule:
- Unscheduled parent meetings
- Ad-hoc administrative tasks
- Cover for colleagues in non-care roles
- One-off project work
The key difference from regular Disposal Time is that Irregular Disposal Time is not part of the planned weekly schedule. It captures extra non-care hours that arise spontaneously.
- Does not count toward the staff-to-child ratio
- Tracked separately in reports for transparency
Why the Distinction Matters
KVJS Staffing Calculations
KVJS and similar regulatory bodies require Kitas to maintain minimum staff-to-child ratios during care hours. Only Care Time counts toward these ratios. By separating Disposal Time and Irregular Disposal Time, KiDig provides accurate data for:
- Compliance reporting: Proving that enough qualified staff were present during care hours
- Budget planning: Understanding how much of total paid time goes to direct care vs. administrative work
- Staffing optimization: Identifying whether the balance between care and non-care time is appropriate
Practical Impact
| Metric | Care Time | Disposal Time | Irregular Disposal Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counts for staffing ratio | Yes | No | No |
| Part of regular schedule | Yes | Yes | No |
| Visible in staffing reports | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Affects time balance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Log Intervals
When entering time on the day view, each interval has a dropdown to select its type. The default is Care Time. Employees should change the type to Disposal Time or Irregular Disposal Time as appropriate.
Tip for admins: Review the ratio of Care Time to total time in monthly reports. A healthy Kita typically has 75--80% Care Time for full-time childcare staff.