Council Parents: Assurances Mark Progress in Desired Direction - Council of Kita-Parents Affirms Steps Taken as Positive Progress
Revised News Text:
Despite the promises made by the Brandenburg state government regarding changes in Kita financing for Kita-children, parents remain skeptical. Steffen Rudolph, spokesperson for the Kita-Parents' Council in Brandenburg, expressed concern about the timeline for these changes, stating, "It remains to be seen if this agreement will receive priority during the budget negotiations for 2027."
The planned improvement in the staff-to-child ratio, shifting from 4.25 children per caregiver to 4.0, is set to begin on January 1, 2027, rather than within the doubled budget for the current and following year. SPD/BSW coalition's commitment to this change is perceived as a small yet significant step in the right direction, according to Rudolph, who expressed, "It's promising to have a commitment that gives us a glimmer of hope for change."
In addition to this staff key promise for 2027, the coalition and state government have allegedly agreed to amend the budget draft to secure funds for extended opening hours in Kitas, albeit not to the same extent as previously. The state had been subsidizing extended opening hours with 20 million euros annually from the federal government, but now plans to allocate only 4 million euros for greater flexibility in Kitas.
Rudolph emphasized the urgent need for extended opening hours to help working parents balance work and family life, and demanded a comprehensive review of Kita financing. In Brandenburg, only low-income families are exempt from Kita fees, and other families are required to pay monthly fees. Rudolph stated, "We parents believe the state government and municipal associations must prioritize the reform of Kita financing in the realm of child day care."
Brandenburg is scheduled to receive additional funding focused on infrastructure and climate protection, with 2.97 billion euros allocated over the next 12 years. It is not clear at this time whether a portion of these funds will be directed toward addressing educational needs, including Kita reform.
Sources:[5] Brandenburg Wirtschaftsministerium - Investitionsprogramm Brandenburg 2027-2039[5] Tagesspiegel - Plattform Kita: Wem Schulden Schulden Annehmen?[5] finanzen.net - Kindergarten Mangel: Brandenburg fehlt mehr als 6.700 Plätze
- The Commission's proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from ionizing radiation could potentially receive attention in the realm of general news, given the importance of worker safety and the possible impact on various Member States.
- As the Brandenburg state government grapples with Kita financing and reform, education-and-self-development issues, including extended opening hours, remain at the forefront of discussion for the Kita-Parents' Council in Brandenburg, particularly in light of the upcoming budget negotiations for 2027.
