Kitas in MV: Is the end of freedom of contributions to the end?

Kitas in MV: Is the end of freedom of contributions to the end?

In the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it is currently being discussed whether the non-contributory daycare centers could become a discontinued model. This debate is shaped by the report of the State Audit Office and the tense financial situation of the municipalities. The State Audit Office suggests that the country supports the municipalities more in the financing in order to cover the increasing costs for the non -contributory daycare centers. For five years, parents in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have been able to have their children looked after in daycare centers free of charge, but the financial burdens are increasing steadily. In 2024, the total costs for daycare centers amount to 923 million euros, of which the country pays 503 million euros, i.e. 54.5 percent. The rest of the municipalities and counties with 420 million euros are eliminated. This reports ndr .

The red-red-green coalition in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has known itself for free childcare, but the CDU expresses concerns. The municipalities, on the other hand, demand more support because rising costs and falling income put pressure on public finances. From 2026, federal funds may only be used for qualitative improvements in daycare and no longer to cover general financing gaps. Every year the costs increase by around 100 million euros, which further complicated.

costs and challenges of daycare financing

The State Audit Office believes that there must be urgently regulating interventions on the part of the government in order to ensure childcare sustainably. President Martina Johannsen criticizes that the costs for places are determined in advance and there is no way to shorten grants in the event of poor performance. Expenditures for childcare rose from 145 million euros to 580 million euros in 2012, which now makes up five percent of the state budget. The country finances over half of the costs for early childhood education, but has no influence on the type of contract conclusions. Here are according to Zeit Significant catching up to do, because there is a lack of control over the means and the contractual conclusions.

The current challenges are also evident in the care situation. Although care for children between the ages of three and six is a quota of 94.5 percent, the one to three-year-old children with 83 percent does not look quite as rosy. The support key in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is also one of the worst across Germany: 1 to 14. This is criticized by the Bertelsmann Foundation and also puts pressure on the existing specialists in daycare centers.

where lead the changes?

The mayor of Rostock, Birgit Czarschka (SPD), therefore calls for a review of the non -contributory daycare centers in view of the changed financial framework. It is an exciting discourse: parents, represented by Heiner Rebschläger, chairman of the Kita State Parental Council, are sometimes ready to pay contributions again if the quality of the care increases. This shows that the people in the region are quite willing to invest in the training of their children as long as there is a corresponding improvement.

The discussion about the financial structure is also a clear indication that the quality of the early childhood educational offers is not only reduced to the costs. According to educator.de a total of 18.4 billion euros for early childhood education, which corresponds to 0.7 percent of gross national product. Expert: Inside, however, demands that long -term access to early education have to be secured, even if the quality of the care must not be made in the background.