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Radebeul is on the barricade: Good Shepherd Children's Home is on the verge of extinction!
The “Guter Hirte” children’s home in Radebeul is celebrating its 20th anniversary, but will close in 2026. Parents are calling for its preservation.
Radebeul is on the barricade: Good Shepherd Children's Home is on the verge of extinction!
The “Guter Hirte” children’s home in Radebeul can look back on 20 successful years, but the joy of this anniversary is overshadowed by the news that the facility is scheduled to close in the summer of 2026. This decision has caused great concern not only among parents but also throughout the community. The reasons for the closure were set by the city of Radebeul and the sponsor, Kinderarche Sachsen, without first consulting the parents, the parents' council, the advisory board, the Luther Church or the city council. Many see this as non-transparent and ignoring needs, which motivated the parents' initiative and supporters to launch an online petition, which was handed over with 1,174 signatures, to fight for the preservation of the children's home and (openpetition.de).
The parents' initiative is led by Susanne Krause, who herself has three children in the “Good Shepherd”. She emphasizes the importance of the individualized care offered at this small facility. The kindergarten enjoys an excellent reputation and is extremely popular with families in Radebeul. There are always more inquiries than there are places available. This speaks for the quality of the upbringing and early childhood education that is provided there. The educators do a great job creating a positive environment for the children. The children's home stands for security and the transmission of values and is therefore a valuable resource for young families in the region (openpetition.de).
Value of early childhood education
The discussion about the closure of the “Good Shepherd” raises fundamental questions about early childhood education. In Germany, daycare centers are an essential part of child and youth welfare, and there is a nationwide legal right to a place in a daycare facility from the age of one. This shows how important early childhood education is for society and how much it should be promoted. The children's home not only offers education, but also care, which is crucial for the development of children (bpb.de).
The decision to close the “Good Shepherd” was made by Mayor Bert Wendsche (independent), who was represented in the decision-making process. Critics complain that the school preparation mandate for kindergartens is often not clearly defined and that decision-makers have not adequately addressed the needs of families. The closure could have a negative impact on the attractiveness of the place to live for young families and raise the question of what the family-friendly education policy is like in Radebeul ([saechsische.de](https://www.saechsische.de/lokales/meissen-lk/radebeul/radebeul-das-kinderhaus-guter-hirte- Feiert-20-jubilaeum-und-schliesst-2026-WA5PQFTMHBHM3P4K2LSTDD7UYM.html)).
- Erschütternde Informationen zur Schließung:
- Schließung im Sommer 2026
- 20 Jahre Betriebszeit des Kinderhauses
- Keine einbeziehende Diskussion mit den Eltern
- Unterschriften der Petition übergeben
- Forderungen nach Transparenz und Einbeziehung
Citizens are called upon to work to preserve the “Good Shepherd” children’s home and to mobilize further support to save this important educational institution. It remains to be hoped that the city will hear the parents' call and an agreement can be reached that will preserve the children's home in its current form. The future of the “Good Shepherd” lies in the hands of the community.