Kitas in MV: Freedom of fees remains despite financial challenges!

Kitas in MV: Freedom of fees remains despite financial challenges!

Schwerin, Deutschland - In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, free childcare remains a hotly controversial topic. Despite urgent demands from municipalities and circles that strive for a return to parental contributions, the red-red state government unequivocally maintains this important achievement. The SPD parliamentary group leader Julian Barlen described the continued existence of freedom of contributions as a "financial effort", but the debate about the introduction of fees is not up for discussion. Mayor Lars Prasten from Grevesmühlen has proposed a monthly fee of 50 euros per place in daycare centers or after -school care to cover rising personnel costs and to record the actual need for care.

"The free daycare center promotes equal opportunities and educational justice", emphasizes BARLEN and receives backing from the left. CDU parliamentary group leader Daniel Peters, on the other hand, demands more support for the municipalities on the part of the country, while the Greens faction leader Constanze Oehlrich invites additional investments in the quality of childcare-including smaller groups. The childcare rate in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is gratifyingly high: almost 95% of 3 to 6 year olds and 59% of 0 to 3-year-olds receive care in a facility or in a childminder.

financing and challenges

Financing problems are not an unknown terrain. Every year, around one billion euros flow into childcare in the northeast, which is made up of state and municipal means. A large part of this sum - 467 million euros - is provided in 2025, which corresponds to 8% more than in the previous year. These funds are used, among other things, to finance earlier daycare contributions and to support special educational offers that serve the equal opportunities of the children.

Some of the measures that benefit from the state funds include environmental daycare centers, forest daycare centers and natural children who pursue special educational approaches. Special Aqua daycare centers that offer water habituation and swimming courses are also promoted by the country with start-up financing. The first courses should start from 2024, and new facilities will be added every year.

application procedure for parents

For parents who want to take advantage of this fee -free care, there are some forms to fill out, which usually have to be submitted three months before the start of care. A separate application for freedom of parental contribution is not necessary; The responsible youth welfare office pays the running costs for the places in the facilities. However, parents have to pay for their children's catering, but can also make an application for assumption of costs.

This is not only a financial effort in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but also an important tool for promoting equal opportunities. The different voices that pronounce and against fees may lead to a solution that meets the needs of all those involved. It is clear that there is still a lot to do here!