Berlin improves childcare ratio: daycare teachers for fewer children!

Berlin improves childcare ratio: daycare teachers for fewer children!

From January 2024, the care ratio for daycare children under the age of three in Berlin will be gradually improved. The Berlin Senate announced this. The decision is intended to help increase the quality of childcare and maintain staff in the daycare system, despite the declining number of children. Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) emphasized that without this measure, up to 2,400 full-time educator positions could be cut in the next few years. From January 2024, one educator will mathematically look after half a child less, and from August 2024 the key will be 4.2 children per educator, which corresponds to the national average. These adjustments are expected to cost 125 million euros in 2024 and are expected to increase to 193 million euros by 2027. The financial resources for language support in daycare centers will be redistributed, and from 2024 daycare centers will receive additional funding if they care for 20 percent or more children from socially disadvantaged families.

A key goal of this reform is to ensure adequate support in early childhood education. From 2024, parents will automatically receive a daycare voucher for their child as soon as they turn three years old. This will be a great relief for many families. However, the bill still needs to be passed by the House of Representatives before these measures can come into force.

The influence of the care ratio on quality

The childcare ratio has a decisive influence on the quality of childcare. A recent analysis shows that the key has improved across Germany in recent years, although there are large differences between the federal states. In Saxony, for example, the care ratio is 7.6 children per educator, while in Bremen a better ratio is achieved with 4 or 5 children per educator. These differences can have significant implications for early childhood education.

In 2012, one specialist was responsible for an average of 5.2 children; in 2017 this figure fell to 4.6 children. The Bertelsmann Foundation recommends a ratio of 3.0 for children under three years of age, while a ratio of 7.5 is recommended for children between the ages of three and starting school. These recommendations underline the need to further optimize the care ratio to ensure the quality of care. The federal and state governments have provided significant financial resources to make childcare possible, but training to become an educator takes time and leads to delays in the staffing ratio.

However, when considering the care ratio, the focus should not only be on this. The quality of the daycare centers also depends heavily on the individual care and the general climate in the facilities. It is therefore important to look at the entire framework of early childhood education in order to achieve sustainable improvements.

The Federal Statistical Office is currently warning about false cover letters in circulation that request data reporting for a non-existent study and use false contact details and a fake sender. Even if this is not directly related to daycare care, it shows that it is important to ensure reliable information and accuracy in all areas.

Due to the ongoing adjustments and the constant discussion about the care ratio, it remains exciting to see how early childhood education will develop in Berlin and beyond.