Workplace health promotion for nursery school teachers

Due to the lack of programmes for workplace health promotion in nursery schools, the project developed and promoted the work ability (WA) and health of nursery school teachers by using approved behavioural (pre- and post-tested validity diagnostics) and proportional methods (health circle as intervention). The WA was assessed with the questionnaire Work Ability Index and the health situation with the Vitality Measuring System (R). A total of 78 nursery school teachers from eight day care facilities in Saxony took part in the study (age: 44 +/- 9 years). Suggestions for improvement were identified and carried out in the health circles in a facility-specific way. The study focussed on the impact of psychological stress and the working environment. In order to assess the changes the nursery school teachers were divided into a group with reduced WA and a group with higher WA. After the intervention, the nursery school teachers with reduced WA showed various improvements: higher WA, a reduction of diseases and complaints and recreational abilities. Vitality diagnostics proved to be a useful instrument for promoting health-conscious behaviour. The health circle was found to be an effective method of health promotion in day care facilities.