Minister sees daycare expansion on the right track
Minister of Education Julia Willie Hamburg believes that Lower Saxony is on the right track when it comes to recruiting specialists for daycare centers. The Green politician said on Tuesday that Lower Saxony was already in line with the Bertelsmann Foundation's recommendations, particularly with regard to the staffing ratio - only Bremen and Baden-Württemberg achieved slightly better ratios. According to a new study by the foundation, however, Lower Saxony lacks 41,600 daycare places to cover the needs of all parents.
Hamburg said that the situation was nevertheless extremely challenging and tense for everyone involved due to a noticeable shortage of skilled workers. There is still a lot to do.
According to the ministry, lateral entry has already been made easier and school fees for trainee nursery teachers have been abolished. The number of training places was last increased by 750 in 2022. There are currently 18,000 students across the country on their way to becoming educational assistants or specialists - a record number, according to the ministry.
The expansion of daycare centers in the labor market could significantly benefit families, providing more opportunities for parents to join the workforce. Moreover, investing in high-quality kindergartens can contribute to children's early educational development, sustaining a strong foundation for their future success.
Source: www.dpa.com
