Community happenings - Survey Reveals Shortage of 125,000 Caregivers in Daycare Facilities
Kindergartens in Germany struggle with a lack of staff, which has become a long-standing issue. Research shows that each kindergarten lacks over two workers, representing a total of 125,000 lost staff across the entire childcare industry. This revelation came in the Kindergarten Report 2024 from the Parity Association, released on Monday. Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) had previously mentioned that there could be between 50,000 and 90,000 staff shortages in German kindergartens by 2030.
Juliane Meinhold, head of social work at the Parity Association, regards this situation as a "double issue." She explained that this lack of staff forces workers to take on extra hours, leading to increased stress and potential burnout. This could prompt even more employees to leave the profession, causing more trouble for the already imbalanced workforce. The children suffer as a result due to fewer activities and support.
The "Good Kindergarten Law," introduced by the federal government in 2019, was intended to alleviate these challenges on a national level. However, the association's findings show that conditions in most kindergartens have worsened since 2021, particularly because of this severe staff shortage.
The Parity Association suggests several measures to tackle this issue. They call for better working conditions in training, such as setting tuition fees aside and recognizing trainees on the staff roster. The association suggests that more workers are needed in inclusive kindergartens and those with a high percentage of vulnerable children.
The funding for kindergartens has recently become a point of contention between Paus and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP). While the states have made a commitment to upholding certain standards since the "Good Kindergarten Law," the federal government's backing will end this year. Currently, there are no plans for continued support after 2024. Under this legislation, the states received around four billion euros from the federal government in 2023 and 2024. Paus and the federal states are urging for significant funding for German kindergartens starting in 2025.
