That is why higher parental contributions are being discussed in the municipality of Grabfeld in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. When asked by MDR THÜRINGEN, the community said that a parents’ meeting was planned next week. According to the municipality, parents currently pay around nine percent of the costs. This share could grow to up to 20 percent.
Wages should also have increased recently in kindergartens. This increases the necessary subsidy from the community. At the same time, there is currently discussion about closing a kindergarten location with currently nine children because it is not possible to operate a kindergarten with so few children.
30 percent higher fees are being considered in Bad Salzungen
In Bad Salzungen, 30 percent higher fees are being considered for similar reasons. The occupancy rate in the city’s kindergartens has fallen from 100 percent in 2019 to 77 percent, according to city councilor Hans Knott (CDU). However, there are no plans to close the kindergarten yet; the staff should be retained.
Knott also said it is questionable whether the city will be able to afford this in the future. The combination of fewer children, rising wages for educators and a better childcare ratio put pressure on money.
The city of Leinefelde-Worbis is also experiencing lower utilization of kindergartens; the number of births has decreased by around 20 percent in the last two years. The kindergartens are still well utilized. However, if the trend continues, the structures would have to be reconsidered. The current new building in Kallmerode will be retained, but no further new buildings are planned.
In Jena, 500 places and several kindergartens are to be lost
In the city of Jena, however, several kindergartens are to be closed in the next few years. In the future, there are around 800 childcare places too many. The city initially wants to dismantle around 500 of them. Restructuring could result in several kindergartens moving to other locations.
The rural community of Heringen wants to hold on to its four kindergartens – also because it will be difficult to reopen a kindergarten after a closure. However, the facilities in the Windehausen and Uthleben districts should be brought together under a common management
Staff should be retained in many places
In the municipality of Bad Tabarz, there are now hopes for higher capacity utilization through a new kindergarten building. Mayor David Ortmann (SPD) told MDR THÜRINGEN that they hope to win over children from other places through good conditions.
The Catholic institutions in the diocese of Erfurt say that the need for skilled workers should be designed with foresight. The need for educators remains high, so staff should be retained despite the decline in the number of children.
The Priory for Culture and Social Affairs with four kindergartens in Mühlhausen says there are fewer registrations here too. But after an influx of refugees in recent years, the size of groups could be normalized again. Parents could register their children again at short notice.
