Münster in daycare chaos: Suddenly too many places and closures!

Münster in daycare chaos: Suddenly too many places and closures!

Münster is facing a surprising turnaround in child day care: The Liebfrauen-Überwasser parish has decided to give up sponsorship of the St. Nikolaus day care center on July 31, 2027. This came as a surprise to many parents and employees and was announced on July 8th by Pastor André Sühling. The reason for this decision is intensive consultations with the city of Münster, during which it emerged that the planned new building on Wilhelmstrasse was not feasible and no alternative location could be found. The renovation of the old daycare building is also not possible due to its dilapidated structure. Repair work has not brought about the desired improvements, which means the situation for the daycare center remains tense.

There are crucial changes, especially in the upcoming recordings. From August 1, 2025, the facility will only accept siblings, which is expected to affect 37 children in the new daycare year. Another daycare center in the network will be made available for the 11 remaining children who would like to maintain the contract. However, the city has offered a temporary solution: From autumn 2025, the daycare center could move hand-in-hand into the currently unused building. Such measures are necessary given the fact that the city of Münster is faced with high costs for the new building, which make the project economically unviable.

Overview of the daycare places in Münster

The situation in Münster reflects a larger trend. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office the provision of kindergarten places increased, which may lead to excess capacity. The legal requirements regarding the legal right to a daycare place and the need for places for children under three play a central role here. A comprehensive overview of the affected facilities and the staffing requirements is essential in order to optimally provide care for all children.

The Liebfrauen-Überwasser parish must also mention that it currently runs six daycare centers with a total of 358 children in care and 98 employees. However, this great commitment will be put to the test when the St. Nikolaus daycare center is closed. All employees should, if possible, continue to be employed by the provider, which also represents a challenge given the changes.

The developments in child care in Münster are not only important for families, but also essential for the city itself. The city administration commissioned the feasibility study for the individual new building, but the plans were reconsidered several times due to urban development challenges and financial feasibility.

The coming months will be crucial for everyone involved. In the hope of finding the best solutions for the children and families in Münster, the city remains in close contact with the providers of the facilities. Innovative approaches are required to counteract the current oversupply and the necessary renovation and new construction measures. A good hand could be the key to getting the situation under control.