Parents in Brandenburg, Germany, will no longer have to pay contributions for another year of daycare starting from August. The state parliament passed a law by the state government, which provides free daycare for the penultimate year in addition to the last year. Furthermore, from August next year, parents will no longer be charged for all three years of daycare.
The new law also includes provisions for increased staffing in crèches for children up to the age of three. Currently, one teacher looks after 4.65 children, but from 2025, this ratio will be reduced to one teacher for every four children.
Steffen Freiberg, the Education Minister of Brandenburg, expressed his satisfaction with the improvements in early childhood education. He emphasized that the exemption from contributions will benefit tens of thousands of families and enhance the care provided in crèches. Freiberg stated that the state government is fulfilling key projects outlined in the coalition agreement, calling it a “good day for Brandenburg.”
To fund these improvements, the state plans to raise approximately 130 million euros in the coming year. The annual costs for childcare in the state budget are expected to reach around 745 million euros by 2024.
During the debate, Elske Hildebrandt, a deputy from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), defended the decision not to exclude higher earners from the exemption from contributions in daycare centers. Hildebrandt argued that checking income limits would involve significant bureaucratic effort, making the exemption a better solution for all parents.
Opposition MPs from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Left Party (Linke) factions called for daycare management to be relieved of educational work with children in favor of their management tasks. However, these motions did not receive majority support in the state parliament.
In addition to the changes in daycare contributions, the state parliament also passed a reform of the law on child daycare. The reform aims to create more places in child daycare by implementing new and uniform rules in municipalities. It will also allow companies and public employers to offer daycare on their premises and hire employees specifically for this purpose. Furthermore, a large daycare model will be introduced, where up to three daycare workers can care for up to 15 children in one apartment and cover for each other.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to improving early childhood education and expanding access to affordable daycare services in Brandenburg.
How will the new law providing free daycare for an additional year relieve financial burden on parents and improve early childhood education in Brandenburg?
On with the passing of the new law, stating that it is a significant step towards improving early childhood education in the state. He believes that providing free daycare for an additional year will relieve financial burden on parents and ensure that more children have access to quality education at an early age.
The law’s provisions for increased staffing in crèches also aim to enhance the quality of care and education provided to young children. By reducing the teacher-to-child ratio, the government hopes to enable teachers to better cater to the individual needs of each child and ensure their development and well-being.
The implementation of these changes will be gradual, with the free daycare for the penultimate year starting in August and the full three years of free daycare commencing from August next year. This approach allows the state government to plan and allocate resources effectively, ensuring a smooth transition and sustainable implementation of the new law.
Parents in Brandenburg can look forward to the financial relief and improved quality of care that this new law promises. With the state government’s commitment towards investing in early childhood education, Brandenburg aims to provide a solid foundation for every child, regardless of their background, and set them on a path of success in the future.
This is a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for parents and their children. Accessible and affordable daycare, along with increased staff in crèches, will undoubtedly alleviate the burden on working parents and ensure early childhood development is prioritized. Kudos to Brandenburg for recognizing the importance of investing in the future generation!