There is a massive lack of educators in the day-care centers. Cities and municipalities are appealing to the country to relax the standards permanently. Otherwise there is a risk of collapse.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - The municipalities have warned the state of a dramatic tightening of the staff situation in the daycare centers. "Hundreds of municipalities have already reduced opening hours or even closed groups," said Steffen Jäger, President of the Municipal Day, of the German Press Agency in Stuttgart. The lack of educators is dramatic. "The early childhood education system is heading towards a collapse," Jäger warned. The country urgently needs to take countermeasures. The head of the community day insists that the Ministry of Education continue to allow the group size to be increased and the minimum staff ratio to be reduced. The country had made this possible due to the special situation of the corona pandemic, but this regulation expires on August 31.
Jäger appealed to the country to extend the special regulation. From his point of view, anything else would have serious consequences: "If the Ministry of Education decides against extending the central flexibility options, then the state bears responsibility if many thousands of children do not get a daycare place. The municipalities cannot solve that," said Jäger . It should not be forgotten that day-to-day daycare can become more difficult with more children per group and teacher. But: "In our opinion, the consequences for the children who would not receive adequate care would be even more serious." The ministry must take this into account when presenting its catalog of measures for the new daycare year this week.
