Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - After the announced end of a federal program for language support in daycare centers, it is still unclear how the gap in the Hessian facilities can be closed. The federal government's decision not to continue the "Language Kitas" program in 2023 came as a surprise to the federal states, the Ministry of Social Affairs in Wiesbaden said in response to a parliamentary question from the left-wing faction. The federal program supplements the state's offers with qualified language specialists and additional advice. It is unclear whether the work can continue.
Hessen currently receives, among other things, 15.5 million euros annually from the "Language Daycare Centers" program to finance personnel costs, as the ministry announced. There are also events and administrative support. In Hesse, according to the information, around twelve percent of the day-care centers for children receive funding from the federal program. Day-care centers that are attended by an above-average number of children with possible language needs are specifically supported.
Hesse, together with the other federal states, had already appealed to the federal government in mid-July to continue the program against the background of the corona pandemic and the many refugees from Ukraine.
