Studying with a child

Mastering your studies with a child can feel like a big challenge. Ansbach University of Applied Sciences supports students with the arrangement of the various tasks of studying and family. We would also like to offer comprehensive information and advice to parents interested in studying.

We strive to create good conditions that facilitate the compatibility of studies and children.

The following checklists provide you with initial information.

Checklists
Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung: www.familienplanung.de

Checkliste: Behördengänge nach der Geburt (german)
Checkliste: Sorgerecht und Unterhalt (german)
Schwanger in Bayern: Baby-Timer (german)

The Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs has compiled special information in times of Corona under the following link.

Schwanger in Bayern: Corona: Infos und News für Schwangere und Familien (german)

Here you can find information and advice on the following topics:

Maternity protection

Since January 1^st, 2018, the Maternity Protection Act also applies to female students. Its purpose is to protect the health of the student and her child during studies, pregnancy, after childbirth and during the breastfeeding period.

Maternity leave for female students includes the following statutory provisions

The maternity leave period is 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after the birth of the child.
(In certain cases, 12 weeks)
During the term of protection, there is a relative ban on the participation in exams and courses: Students are excluded from examinations and courses during this period. However, at your own (written) request, you can still participate during the protection period before and after childbirth. You can revoke your consent to participate at any time with effect for the future.
During pregnancy and the breast-feeding period (first 12 months after birth), students have the right to be exempted for checkups related to pregnancy and for breast-feeding of the child without any disadvantages.
Rules regarding exams
There should be no disadvantages due to pregnancy, childbirth or lactation. These are to be compensated. The declaration to the university that the student wants to continue her studies despite maternity protection can only be revoked before the exam. If examinations are abandoned, the general regulations of the examination regulations of the universities apply, as in the case of a disease.

Exemptions from prohibition of employment/training for pregnant students

Visits to the training facility between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. are possible if:
a) The wish is explicitly declared to the university
b) Participation is necessary for training
c) No irresponsible risk arises from working alone
Visits to the training facility on Sundays and holidays are possible if:
a) The wish is explicitly declared to the university
b) Participation is necessary for training

The revocation of a declaration for night, Sunday and holiday work/study is possible at any time - but only for the future.

There is no legal obligation to report pregnancy to the university. However, notification is a prerequisite for the claim of the regulations. To report your pregnancy to the university, please contact the Office for Family, Equal Opportunities and Diversity.

The Maternity Protection Act for reference:
Federal Office of Justice: Gesetze im Internet - Mutterschutzgesetz 2018 (german)

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth: Brochure Leitfaden zum Mutterschutz (german)

Checklists

Federal Centre for Health Education: www.familienplanung.de

Checklist: Administration procedures after the birth of the child
Checkliste: Behördengänge nach der Geburt (german)
Checklist: Custody and alimony
Checkliste: Sorgerecht und Unterhalt (german)

Financing

A detailed list of financing options for students with children can be found under “Studis online":
Financial tips: Studying with a child: Finanztipps: Studieren mit Kind. (german)

In summary, the following options are available to you:

Parental benefits and ElterngeldPlus
Child benefits
BAföG and Kinderbetreuungszuschlag for BAföG
Alimony advance
Child allowance
Childcare expenses
School supplies package
Other: Increased need, maternity benefits, federal foundation - mother and child

Further information on financial aid can be found under the following links:

Landratsamt Ansbach – Gesundheitsamt

Checklist information for pregnant women and young families
Checkliste Informationen für Schwangere und junge Familien (german)

Deutsches Studentenwerk:
Maternity protection for students (and BAföG)
Mutterschutz für Studentinnen (und BAföG) (german)

Family friendly university environment

Nursing room with changing facilities

Building 92, GF, Room 15 (92.0.15)

Diaper wrapping

Changing facilities are also available in the spacious and daily cleaned barrier-free toilets:

Building 92, GF (92.0.8)
Building 51, GF, east (51.0.16)
Building 50 1. Floor, east (50.1.13)
Building 54, GF (54.0.3)
Library
Dining hall (87.0.15)

Dining

Highchairs are available in the dining hall for our youngest visitors to the canteen. A children's plate card (free addition to the parents' meal for children under the age of 10) can be applied for.

Children's area in the university library

For children who are in the university library under the supervision of their parents, books and toys are available in the children's area. Changing facilities are available in the nearby toilets of the university library.

Parent-child parking

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Office for Family, Equal Opportunities and Diversity – Simone Keller (simone.keller(at)hs-ansbach.de, Phone: 0981-4877-504).

Childcare

There is the possibility of childcare by the “Miteinander" maternity center, which is located directly next to the campus in the Brückencenter. There, an individual and very flexible care time can be booked. The Mothers Center is a registered association. The university is happy to provide financial support for the membership fee of the “Miteinander” maternity center. To receive financial support, you can apply for subsidies for the membership fee. As a club member, the cost contributions for the care are significantly lower.

The grant can informally be applied for at the chancellor of the university, Mrs. Esther Schnetz (esther.schnetz(at)hs-ansbach.de). Further information about the Mütterzentrum can be found here: Muetterzentrum Ansbach.

Further information on other childcare options can be found here:

Landkreis Ansbach: Kinderbetreuung
Familienlandkreis: Betreuung von Kindern & Jugendlichen

Networks

Parents-meeting “Treffpunkt Studieren mit Kind“

Once a semester, the parents' group of the university meets for breakfast in the “Offenen Treff" of the Mothers' Center in Ansbach. For a small fee per person, the food is provided by the Mütterzentrum. Highchairs, a changing table and toys are available for children. Previous participants felt the personal exchange and the community with other studying parents to be were very valuable.