Bertelsmann Foundation: Brandenburg lacks 6700 daycare places
According to calculations by the Bertelsmann Foundation, Brandenburg currently lacks around 6700 daycare places. The rate of children in daycare is above the national average, according to the "State Monitoring of Early Childhood Education Systems" published by the foundation on Tuesday. For the under-threes, the rate is 57 percent (federal: 36 percent) and for the over-threes 94 percent (federal: 92 percent).
According to the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, however, 64% of children under the age of three and 97% of older children need a place, according to the foundation. There is therefore a need for an additional 6700 places.
At the same time, 94 percent of the youngest children and 82 percent of three-year-olds and older are looked after by too few nursery nurses, according to the foundation. One full-time specialist is responsible for more than five children in the crèche groups. This is less favorable than the figure in the western German states of 1 to 3.4 and also falls well short of the Foundation's recommended ratio of 1 to 3. In the kindergarten groups, the staffing ratio of 1 to 9.4 is also significantly less favorable than the western value of 1 to 7.7 and well above the recommended value of 1 to 7.5.
However, due to the falling number of children in Brandenburg, there is a chance of achieving the recommended staffing ratio there by 2030, said foundation expert Kathrin Bock-Famulla. However, this will only be possible if staff continue to be employed despite falling numbers of children and around 1,100 additional specialist staff are recruited. "The state government must finally create the legal conditions to enable daycare centers to employ more staff," demanded Bock-Famulla.
To address the education needs of Brandenburg's young population, investing in establishing more kindergartens could be beneficial. With current data showing a shortage of 6700 daycare places, expanding education facilities in kindergartens might help bridge this gap.
The quality of education in kindergartens is also under scrutiny, as a single full-time specialist often looks after more than five children in crèche groups, which is less favorable than the western ratio. Enhancing staffing in kindergartens could contribute to improved education standards, ultimately benefiting the children of Brandenburg.
Source: www.dpa.com
