Rescue for Cölpin's daycare center Bumblebee Nest”: Hope for a new building is growing!

Rescue for Cölpin's daycare center Bumblebee Nest”: Hope for a new building is growing!

At the gates of Neubrandenburg, in tranquil Cölpin, the mood is simmering: the “Hummelnest” daycare center is about to close and is therefore facing major challenges. At the recent political debates in the district council of the Mecklenburg Lake District, around 20 parents and educators were present to fight for the preservation of the facility. The youth welfare office has revoked the daycare center's operating license and prohibited childcare from January 2026. This causes uncertainty among families, as the daycare center currently looks after 77 children who would be torn from their usual environment if it were to be closed.

Cölpin, a charming community in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, is located about 12 km east of Neubrandenburg. The rural structure makes it difficult for many parents to find alternatives, especially since bus connections in the area are considered poor. Some of the affected parents do not have a driver's license and have to take long detours to accommodate their children in Neubrandenburg facilities. This is a big issue, especially in a place where the daycare center has existed for over 30 years and many former children are already enrolling their own children there.

Future of the daycare center under discussion

The youth welfare office's decision came as a surprise to Mayor Joachim Jünger and the daycare provider, Jugend- und Sozialwerk non-profit GmbH (JUS). The 42-year-old building is in need of renovation, with problems with plumbing, plumbing, electricity and windows. For years, this need for renovation was taken less seriously by the responsible administration and parents than the providers could have expected. Various measures to maintain the daycare center have so far not been sufficient, which has now resulted in an explosion in costs: around four million euros are estimated for renovation.

• Nachfolgend die vorgeschlagenen Lösungen:
• Ein Neubau würde schätzungsweise sechs Millionen Euro kosten, eine Finanzsumme, die für die kleine Gemeinde kaum tragbar erscheint.
• Als Alternative wird von Dezernent Michael Löffler ein Modulbau für etwa zwei Millionen Euro vorgeschlagen, der schnelle Lösungen bieten könnte.
• Die Finanzierung könnte geteilt werden zwischen Land, Kreis und der Gemeinde, was eine wichtige Voraussetzung darstellt.

The daycare center has adapted to social changes and educational needs over the years, which underlines the close connection to the community and local businesses. From programs at community festivals to participation in the senior Christmas party – the daycare center is an integral part of village life. The situation seems all the more annoying now that the future of the facility is in jeopardy.

An appeal to the community

The parents and relatives of the children are called upon to get involved. Only together can a solution to the dilemma be found. The revocation of the operating license will also be discussed. According to the legal framework, a permit is required to operate a daycare center, which is often linked to stringently checked requirements. A change of provider must be reported to the department in a timely manner, which is not without challenges. The necessary steps are clear, but implementation is what local politicians are now concerned about.

The “Hummelnest” daycare center has proven in the past that it feels comfortable in the local conditions and actively participates in community life. Their preservation not only counts for the parents and children, but also means a benefit for the entire village of Cölpin.

The affected parents hope for a positive turn of events. The word “closure” must be replaced with “business as usual” as quickly as possible in order to secure the future of the children and the community. We can only hope that political decision-makers recognize the signs of the times and take the necessary steps to save the daycare center.

These dramatic developments demonstrate the importance of daycare centers in rural communities and emphasize the importance they have for social cohesion and early childhood education. Here’s to a hopeful turnaround in Cölpin!

Nordkurier reported on the situation in the district council and the withdrawal of the operating license. Youth and Social Work explained the role of the daycare center in Cölpin. Information on the legal aspects of the operating license can be found here.