Skip to content

Welfare organizations warn of "daycare crisis"

Daycare centers in Schleswig-Holstein are short of money - and not just a little. Welfare organizations are now demanding solutions from politicians.

A traffic sign with the words "Kindergarten" in front of a daycare center. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de
A traffic sign with the words "Kindergarten" in front of a daycare center. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

Childcare - Welfare organizations warn of "daycare crisis"

Welfare organizations have warned of a deterioration in daycare services in Schleswig-Holstein. "I fear that we are heading towards a daycare crisis," said Anette Langner, Chairwoman of the State Working Group of Welfare Associations (LAG) in the state parliament in Kiel on Thursday.

Daycare centers have been underfunded for a long time. There is a shortfall of at least 150 million euros per year to ensure the current daycare provision is of the expected quality, explained Langner. She now expects the situation to deteriorate "dramatically".

This will result in employees being increasingly overworked. In addition, nursery teachers and parents alike are dissatisfied with the quality standards in the state's daycare centers. According to Langner, the calculation is very simple: either there is more money or the quality in the daycare centers will continue to fall.

In order to avoid a "completely chaotic situation" at the end of next year, action must be taken now. The LAG is therefore calling on politicians to bring all relevant stakeholders to the table. Langner emphasized: "We see a serious risk that many parents will no longer know how to look after their children in the coming year and will therefore have to reduce their working hours."

The warning from the welfare associations is not only a cry for help, but also a justified demand, emphasized former Social Affairs Minister Heiner Garg (FDP). He accused the state government of pursuing symbolic politics instead of addressing the ever-increasing challenges in childcare policy.

Read also:

Source: www.stern.de

Comments

Latest