Shock about childcare: Thuringian daycare staff shocks parents!

Shock about childcare: Thuringian daycare staff shocks parents!

What is happening in Thuringia when it comes to our little ones? A look at the current explosive discussion about the need for kindergarten places illustrates the challenges we face in early childhood education. Recently the MDR talk “Fact is!” a lively debate took place. The Thuringian Finance Minister Katja Wolf (BSW), local representative Dr. Steffen Kania (CDU) and education expert Kathrin Bock-Famulla came together to discuss the situation and the demands for better care. Bock-Famulla was critical of the current staffing ratio in East German kindergartens, which she considers to be inadequate and potentially endangering the well-being of children. She therefore calls for increased political investment in the quality of the facilities, as the drop in birth rates could offer an opportunity for improvements.

But the views are different. Finance Minister Wolf resisted calls for more staff and made it clear that the current key already leads to higher quality. In addition, there are no financial resources available for further improvement. Her colleague Kania showed understanding for the closure of facilities if fewer than 20 children are cared for, as the operation is often not profitable in such cases. This is a tough sell for many parents, because they have a legal right to a kindergarten place, but not necessarily to a place close to home, as ARD Mediathek reports.

Early childhood education in Thuringia

The new personnel key

There are currently signs of changes in personnel: almost 50% of kindergartens in Thuringia are already implementing the new staffing ratio. Since January 1, 2025, new requirements have been in effect, which state that for two to three-year-olds only one specialist has to look after six instead of eight children, while the key for those over three has been standardized to one in twelve. These innovations, which were introduced through a change in the law by the red-red-green state government, should ultimately lead to an increase in quality and retain skilled staff, even as the number of children shrinks. However, there is also a transition phase until the end of 2027, during which many facilities are allowed to continue using the old key, such as Insuedthueringen reported.

Given all these developments, it remains to be seen how the early childhood care system will continue to develop and whether the measures will be sufficient to meet the challenges. One thing is certain: the discussion about improved care and quality standards is far from over, and it remains to be hoped that the voices of those who are committed to children and their development will be heard.