Legislative body [or] Congress - Enhanced childcare in Thuringia: Increased safety in daycare centers.
In Thuringia, the government plans to enhance the care provided to girls and boys in kindergartens by setting aside an extra 146 million euros annually. This funding will primarily support educators in better tending to the children through a better care ratio and increased staffing. The parliament recently passed this childcare bill with overwhelming approval, except for the FDP.
The proposed caregiver-to-child ratio is not the ideal scenario for all ages. For children under three, a caregiver will oversee six kids, while for those aged three and above, there will be twelve children per caregiver, and only four babies per caregiver. Emphasizing the significance of top-notch care quality, legislators from various parties expressed support for this initiative. Parents have been eagerly anticipating this improvement, noted Education Minister Helmut Holter (Left Party). Yet, he stressed the need for a gradual approach, stating that "this is a good move, but not the best for children."
The new law aims to maintain current jobs in the early education sector as child populations decrease, and also generates new opportunities. Roughly several hundred more posts are anticipated as a result. Municipalities have three years to adjust to the new care ratio and mobilize additional staff.
The Thuringia Red-Red-Green coalition faction was unsuccessful in advocating for a third free kindergarten year or founding an early education institute. However, they pledged to revisit these proposals in the next legislative period. Totaling one extra caregiver position per kindergarten in Thuringia, this childcare legislation marks a significant leap forward. Set to take effect in September, a new state parliament will be elected in Thuringia next.
Criticizing the Red-Red-Green administration, CDU's Christian Tischner described the initially presented law as a mix of demands. He affirmed that the focus has now shifted to enhancing care quality. Tischner indicated that the funding would originate from the state budget after 2025. "The ones who order, pay," he stated while referring to municipalities, which wouldn't need to bear this financial burden.
Thomas Hartung, a SPD MP, characterized the childcare bill as a monumental endeavor. He attributed this positive change to years of persistence from parents, associations, and organizations. Rothe-Beinlich, the Green faction leader, praised the prudent allocation of funds for improved caregiver ratios. Concerns over the significant decline in birth rates and its potential consequences in the education sector also contributed to the urgency of this policy.
