Discussion on Potential Modifications in Preschool Education for Young Children - Evolution of Preschools in the Coming Years
Declining Child Numbers Prompt Changes in Thuringia Kindergartens
In light of decreasing child enrollment, Thuringia's kindergartens are facing staffing challenges, prompting some municipalities and providers to review their facilities or contemplate reducing weekly working hours for staff.
Three kindergartens in Altenburger Land will close by the end of the upcoming academic year, affecting two municipal facilities and one privately managed. Reducing staff numbers has become necessary in some kindergartens, the district administration acknowledged in response to an inquiry. To avoid layoffs, kindergarten providers are primarily adjusting staff schedules, rather than dismissing employees.
Weimar city plans to lower kindergarten capacity by around 500 spaces, achieved through the closure of certain facilities. Threatened by low birth rates, the Saale-Holzland district anticipates approximately 1,000 vacant kindergarten spaces by July 1, 2026. One facility is set to close on August 1, while Eisenach city expects the child population to decline until at least 2030, leading to a corresponding decrease in staff demand.
Thuringia's Education Minister, Christian Tischner, acknowledged the state's demographic challenges but denied the existence of a widespread staff surplus in kindergartens. He encouraged future kindergarten teachers, emphasizing the ongoing generational change in the sector and impending retirements.
A decrease in children per specialist has been noticeable for several years. Last year, the Thuringian parliament decided to revise the staffing ratio in kindergartens, allowing for fewer children per specialist at a time to addressed the declining child numbers and enable providers to retain their staff. However, it remains uncertain whether this adjustment will be sufficient.
According to Kathrin Vitzthum, the state chairwoman of the GEU Education Union, additional measures are necessary to prevent a drain of specialists to western states, which offer attractive employment opportunities in the kindergarten sector. Vitzthum warned that reduced weekly working hours for educators could lead to financial difficulties for employees relying on their full income.
The ministry maintains that the revised staffing ratio is not yet universally implemented, and specialist staff continue to be required in kindergartens. Potential strategies for addressing staffing issues in kindergartens might include flexibility in staffing arrangements, staff retention and development, innovative service models, government support, and community engagement.
- In the face of declining child enrollment, Thuringia's Education Minister, Christian Tischer, recognizes the state's demographic challenges and highlights the ongoing generational change in the kindergarten sector, emphasizing the need for future kindergarten teachers.
- The Thuringian parliament revised the staffing ratio in kindergartens last year, allowing for fewer children per specialist to address the declining child numbers and enable providers to retain their staff, but its sufficiency remains uncertain.
- To prevent a drain of specialists to western states, Kathrin Vitzthum, the state chairwoman of the GEU Education Union, advocates for additional measures, including flexibility in staffing arrangements and staff retention and development, to mitigate potential financial difficulties for employees relying on their full income.
- As the decline in child numbers continues to affect Thuringia's kindergartens, potential strategies for addressing staffing issues might include innovative service models, government support, and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of education-and-self-development, learning, and lifelong-learning, and recognizing the role of policy-and-legislation and politics in shaping operational decisions such as vocational training and online-education within the community.
