Daycare centers in Berlin in crisis mode: Where have the children gone?

Daycare centers in Berlin in crisis mode: Where have the children gone?

In Berlin, the hour has come for daycare center owners and educators - but not for the right reasons. The daycare landscape is facing a huge challenge because the number of occupied places is declining significantly. At the beginning of 2025, there were 1,348 fewer places occupied in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district than two years ago. This corresponds to a decline of 10.1%, while Pankow also recorded losses of 7% and Mitte of 5.4%. You don't have to be a prophet to understand: there's something going on here.

Interestingly, it doesn't just stop at the numbers. Smaller kindergartens are forced to close their doors, but the picture is somewhat different for urban daycare centers. Although they are also struggling with financial difficulties, closure is not an option. The “Kita-Kollaps” campaign alliance is already mobilizing and demonstrating against the deficiencies that exist in the area of ​​childcare. Instead of new perspectives, the focus is on the educators, who often move from institution to institution in order to maintain operations.

The numbers speak plainly

Roland Kern from the umbrella association for children's and school shops attributes the falling demand primarily to rising rents and a decline in births. Between 2021 and 2023 there were over 5,000 fewer births in the capital - a trend that can also be seen in other parts of the city. Registrations in Pankow are falling, especially in Karow there is no longer any space on waiting lists. Wedding, on the other hand, continues to report a high demand for daycare places.

• Belegungsrückgang in einigen Bezirken:
• Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg: -10,1%
• Pankow: -7%
• Mitte: -5,4%
• Spandau: höchste Auslastung mit 92,7%

The Bambini-Oase daycare center in Prenzlauer Berg has particular problems as it struggles to find 50 free places. Income is falling and trainers have had to use reserves to finance the takeover of newly trained educators. However, of around 60 new skilled workers, only a third can get a contract.

The shortage of skilled workers remains an urgent problem

Despite the high number of skilled workers available - 97% of the necessary ones are available - there is a gap of 2,360 places between available and approved daycare places. According to a survey, a significant proportion of unused places are directly related to a lack of staff, which only exacerbates the situation. A staff-to-child ratio of 5.86 children per specialist is also not encouraging.

The question that concerns many: How can the problem of staffing be solved? According to experts, this requires a rethinking process and a reassessment of the staff-child ratio. Some daycare centers were already considering taking in children from other Berlin districts, while parents now have more freedom of choice when choosing a daycare center, although this affects the income situation of many providers.

The situation is confusing and the effects are diverse. Rising sickness rates since the corona pandemic and the desire for part-time work are increasing the pressure on daycare centers. Real relaxation can only be expected when the staff-child ratio is reassessed. This condition is not just annoying; it could also have far-reaching consequences for the training of educators and the quality of care in daycare centers.

André Borgmann from Pfefferwerk Stadtkultur gGmbH recognizes different developments in the districts and calls for increased cooperation between the sponsors. The future of daycare centers in Berlin requires creative solutions and a better hand in dealing with the existing infrastructure and specialist staff in order to meet the challenges.

The situation remains tense, and everyone involved is called upon to ensure that the daycare centers not only make ends meet, but can also offer space for the children of tomorrow. All is not lost, but the time to act is now.

For more information, see also daily news, RBB24 and Daycare voice.