Dispute over daycare contributions: Who should really pay?

Dispute over daycare contributions: Who should really pay?

in Saxony-Anhalt has been intensively discussing the financing of daycare centers for a few weeks. A central topic is whether parents should pay daycare contributions for their latest or the oldest child. The positions in the state parliament are very different, which has led to an intensive debate.

In Magdeburg, the MPs of the various state parliamentary groups clearly presented their different points of view regarding childcare policy. The inconsistency within the black-red-yellow coalition was particularly striking. These different views could also significantly influence the consultations about the 2025/2026 double budget and provide further controversy.

The sibling control in the focus

A central element of the discussion is the so -called sibling. Families with several children in the crèche, daycare center or in the after -school care currently only pay for the oldest child. However, the CDU and FDP want to introduce a change in this regulation. The Christian Democrats demand that parents should only pay for the youngest child in the future. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, this change could reduce the country's expenditure by around 18 million euros. However, this measure could have a higher financial burden for the parents, since the costs for the care in the crib are often higher than in kindergarten.

Tim Teßmann, the CDU's child and youth policy spokesman, emphasized the need to discuss these expenses. Konstantin Pott from the FDP also pointed out that false incentives had to be dismantled, and suggested that the contribution should be paid for the recent child.

The debate is also fueled by the upcoming negotiations on the double budget and the very increased expenditure of the country for childcare in recent years. This also happens in the context of the loss of federal funds that have so far been used in the siblings regulation.

Another problem raised in the discussion relates to the registration for after -school care centers. It was found that parents often register a comparatively cheap after -school center for primary school children, but do not use it. As a result, you do not have to pay contributions for your siblings in the daycare center. Sven Rosomkiewicz, a CDU member and mayor in Borne, reported a after-school care center in his community, in which only a fraction of the registered children is present.

position of the SPD and the opposition

The SPD faction, however, pleads to stick to the existing regulation. MPs Katrin Gensecke warned that a change in the regulation could additionally burden the families. The Social Democrats are based on the coalition agreement, which provides for permanent relief for families, even in the event of a loss of federal funds.

The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) also in favor of maintaining the current sibling. DGB state chief Susanne Wiedemeyer pointed out that parents with several children in particular are already heavily burdened by the increasing cost of living. The multi -child regulation represents an important relief and also reduces regional inequalities in childcare costs.

The opposition expressed sharp criticism of the coalition's suggestions. Nicole Anger von der Left pointed out that a change in the sibling would lead to the fact that parents would have to pay for the most expensive care place in the future. An example from Wallhausen in the Mansfeld-Südharz district illustrates this: Instead of the cheaper after-school care center for the larger sibling, there would be an increase in monthly costs for some families by up to 200 euros.

Gordon Köhler from the AfD also confirmed his support for maintaining the existing regulation and even called for a complete freedom of contributions for parents. The Greens pointed out that the daycare costs could be used as a supposed source for savings in the coalition. Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz expressed the desire for reliability for the parents.

In the current discussion, it is clear how important a clear attitude is in childcare policy. While some parties are pushing to save, others warn the need to relieve families financially. The coming weeks will show how the debate will develop and what decisions will ultimately be made.

The financing of childcare in Germany is a central political issue that is discussed again and again not only at state but also at federal level. According to a study by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) of 2023, it was found that the expenditure on early childhood education has increased significantly in recent years. This was caused by a combination of increased requirements for the quality of the care and the increasing need for places. In 2022, public expenditure for childcare in Germany was more than 31 billion euros.

A central problem is the unequal distribution of financial burdens on families. According to a survey by the Federal Office for Statistics from 2023, 62 % of the parents surveyed stated that the daycare contributions are an essential financial pressure point in their budget budget. Families with several children who come under pressure through higher contribution payments are particularly affected. The debate about the sibling regulation aims to find a solution that takes into account both the financial interests of families and the budget of the federal states.

Financial effects of daycare contributions

The different suggestions for changing the siblings have far-reaching financial effects. While the CDU and FDP argue that a reduction in the country's expenses would be possible by 18 million euros, critics warn of the additional burdens for families. Studies show that the costs for a crèche place are usually an average of 200 to 400 euros a month, while kindergarten spaces are often cheaper. This could lead to an overload of the families if they suddenly have to pay for the youngest child in the crib, instead of the oldest child in kindergarten.

In addition, social inequality plays a role. An investigation by the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB) has shown that families less of the income often suffer more from the burdens of daycare contributions. These families less often have the opportunity to raise the higher contributions, which can lead to a disadvantage of their children in terms of care and education.

Current political framework conditions

The political framework for the financing of childcare is currently shaped by constant change. According to the 2019 day care law, an improvement in the quality of care is required, which is often associated with higher costs for the federal states. According to the association of cities and municipalities (DStG), the pandemic has additionally burdened the financial situation of many municipalities. The elimination of federal funds could continue to burden the already tense households and also intensify the discussion about sibling.

In this context, demographic change is also important. The birth rate in Germany has remained stable in recent years, which underlines the need for sufficient care for small children. According to a forecast of the Federal Statistical Office, the need for childcare places in the coming years is expected to increase, which makes the current debates about financing even more urgent.