Finances - Land and municipalities regulate Kita-funding
States and Communes have reached an agreement on future Kindergarten (Kita) costs in Schleswig-Holstein. The financing gap of 120 Million Euro per year will be closed, announced Social Minister Aminata Touré (Greens) in the Landtag.
States and Communes will each provide an additional 20 Million Euro. Touré intends to cover the remainder through bureaucracy reduction and a new employment seal as well as the lowering of standards.
"The state has kept its three central promises to the Communes and providers of Kitas in Schleswig-Holstein: No cuts to Kita state funds, the financing gap of 120 Million Euro will be closed, and the existing financing system will remain in place," Touré said in the Landtagsdebate.
She added: "The state has honored its promises. Now, the Communes must contribute their part and quickly conclude contracts with all around 1850 Kitas. The financial resources are there, the gap is closed, and the bill today was passed."
New law to take effect in January
The existing Childcare Promotion Law (KitaG) is currently being fundamentally revised and submitted to parliament after the parliamentary summer break. The new measures of the KitaG will come into force on 1st January 2025.
Despite annual expenditures of 1.8 Billion Euro, the system has been underfinanced at certain points. On Friday, the Landtag passed the corresponding law with the votes of the coalition factions of CDU and Greens, FDP, and SSW. The SPD-faction abstained.
With a new key, the group affiliation will no longer apply, Kitas will be able to deploy their personnel more flexibly on site, and financial resources will be used more targeted. The standard of two specialized staff per Kita group remains in place.
For parents, Kindergarten costs should not increase. Previous statements suggest that 14 Million Euro for additional personnel from the state and Communes are planned for 2025, and 36 Million Euro annually from 2026 onwards. Additionally, small Kitas, which only have one care group, will receive additional support.
- Aminata Toure, the Social Minister in Schleswig-Holstein's State Parliament, mentioned that the financing gap for Kindergartens (Kitas) is expected to be closed by reducing bureaucracy and implementing a new employment seal.
- Toure also revealed that Communes and the state will each contribute an extra 20 Million Euro to close the 120 Million Euro funding deficit for Kindergartens in Schleswig-Holstein.
- Kindergartens in Communes across Germany may benefit from Aminata Toure's plans, as she aims to provide additional support to small Kitchens that only have one care group.
- Although Kindergarten costs will not increase for parents in 2025, the state and Communes are planning to allocate 14 Million Euro and 36 Million Euro annually, respectively, for additional personnel from 2026 onwards.
