Daycare centers in MV: Is the end of the freedom from contributions imminent?

Daycare centers in MV: Is the end of the freedom from contributions imminent?

The state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is currently discussing whether non-contributory daycare centers could become a phase-out model. This debate is shaped by the report from the State Audit Office and the tense financial situation of the municipalities. The State Audit Office suggests that the state provide municipalities with greater financing support in order to cover the increasing costs of non-contributory daycare centers. Parents in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have been able to have their children looked after free of charge in daycare centers for five years, but the financial burden is constantly increasing. In 2024, the total costs for the daycare centers will amount to an impressive 923 million euros, of which the state will cover 503 million euros, or 54.5 percent. The rest goes to the municipalities and districts with 420 million euros. This reports NDR.

The red-red-green coalition in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has committed to free childcare, but the CDU has expressed concerns. Municipalities, on the other hand, are demanding more support as rising costs and falling revenues put pressure on public finances. From 2026, federal funds may only be used for qualitative improvements in child day care and no longer to cover general financing gaps. Every year the costs increase by around 100 million euros, which further complicates the situation.

Costs and challenges of daycare financing

The State Audit Office is of the opinion that there must be urgent regulatory intervention by the government in order to ensure childcare is sustainable. President Martina Johannsen criticizes the fact that the costs for places are determined in advance and there is no possibility of reducing funding if performance is poor. Spending on child care has increased from 145 million euros in 2012 to 580 million euros, which now accounts for five percent of the state budget. The state finances over half of the costs of early childhood education, but has no influence on the type of contracts concluded. There is noisy here Time There is a lot of catching up to do because there is a lack of control over the funds and the conclusion of contracts.

The current challenges are also reflected in the care situation. Although care for children aged three to six is ​​high at a rate of 94.5 percent, things are not quite as rosy for children aged one to three at 83 percent. The childcare ratio in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is also one of the worst in the entire country: 1 to 14. This is criticized by the Bertelsmann Foundation and puts additional pressure on the existing specialists in the daycare centers.

Where are the changes leading?

The mayor of Rostock, Birgit Czarschka (SPD), is therefore calling for a review of the non-contributory daycare centers in view of the changed financial conditions. There is an exciting debate going on: parents, represented by Heiner Rebschläger, chairman of the Kita State Parents' Council, are partly willing to pay contributions again if the quality of care increases. This shows that people in the region are willing to invest in their children's education as long as there is a corresponding improvement.

The discussion about the financial structure is also a clear indication that the quality of early childhood education cannot only be reduced to costs. Germany is loud Educator.de a total of 18.4 billion euros for early childhood education, which corresponds to 0.7 percent of the gross national product. However, experts demand that free access to early education must be secured in the long term, even if the quality of care must not be neglected.