Parliament - Experts fear financial collapse in Bavaria's daycare centers
Many kindergartens in Bavaria are financially on the brink of collapse. With the current funding of the free state, many communes are no longer able to meet the challenges in early education, said Kurt Kroemer, First Mayor of the City Stein (Landkreis Furth) representing the Bavarian Towns and Communities Conference at the expert hearing of the Bavarian Landtag on the situation of kindergartens in Bavaria.
"The house is on fire," it must be done urgently with financing, said Kroemer. In order to keep the communal deficits lower despite rising costs - for example due to rents - the funding from 60 percent to 90 percent must be increased. "We cannot make up for it completely."
The funding gap is growing larger
According to the "Bavarian Law on the Education, Care and Upbringing of Children" (BayKiBiG), the public sector currently finances 60 percent of the actual operating costs. The rest must be financed through parent contributions, donations or by the municipalities. This funding gap has been growing larger for years.
"The system is collapsing, we have to do something about it," also emphasized Manfred Riederle, Deputy Managing Director of the Bavarian City Conference. Since the financial situation of the state is also difficult, this topic must be urgently discussed and a solution acceptable to all parties must be found. Lena Sophie Weihmayer from the Partnership Welfare Association spoke of the financial problems threatening the very foundation of early education.
The situation is more difficult in the north than in the south
In total, it is about an additional billion Euro, it was agreed in the hearing. The money must be borne by the state and the municipalities. However, for equal living conditions and the already existing North-South disparities in kindergarten care, a reasonable financing is also required. In northern Bavaria, the situation is significantly more difficult.
The money must be anchored in the next budget, it was further emphasized. The system is still controllable and there is a functioning kindergarten landscape. But action must be taken now to ensure that this remains the case.
Kroemer mentioned as an example for the major challenges facing municipalities the problem that more and more free providers of kindergartens are deciding to close due to cost deficits. This then puts pressure on the municipalities, as they must then compensate for the disappearing places - also in view of the existing legal claim.
Foundations for equal educational opportunities
Many other experts invited to the Landtag also emphasized that it is of decisive importance for society to improve conditions in kindergartens. In kindergartens, the foundations for equal educational opportunities, democratic understanding and lived inclusion are being laid.
"We urgently need better working conditions," said Lisa Pfeiffer from the Association of Kindergarten Staff in Bavaria. Educators need a lot of time to deal with the enormous challenges in a sensitive way. These have changed so much in the past few years that "even if everything is filled, we cannot work in a way that serves all children justice."
- The current funding from the Free State of Bavaria is placing many kindergartens in districts like Fürth on the brink of collapse.
- The funding gap, which has been growing larger for years, is a major concern in the education sector, as stated by representatives from the Bavarian Towns and Communities Conference.
- The Bavarian City Conference deputy, Manfred Riederle, also emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that the system is collapsing.
- The Parliament and municipalities in Bavaria must find a solution to bridge the financing gap, as the situation is particularly challenging in northern Bavaria.
- Kurt Krömer highlighted the challenges facing municipalities, such as the closure of free kindergartens due to cost deficits, which puts additional pressure on the system.
- Lisa Pfeiffer from the Association of Kindergarten Staff in Bavaria spoke about the need for better working conditions and resources to address the challenges that educators face in kindergartens.
- The situation in kindergartens is crucial for building the foundations of equal educational opportunities, democratic understanding, and lived inclusion for children in Munich and across Bavaria.
- Lena Sophie Weihmayer from the Partnership Welfare Association also highlighted the financial problems threatening the very foundation of early education and the importance of finding a sustainable solution.
