Mothers in Kitá are protesting for more childcare spots
In the heart of the city, a growing number of families are facing a challenging situation: a shortage of kindergarten places. As of the current count, there are 29 children on the waiting list for a nursery place and 37 for the elementary area.
This issue is particularly pressing for Melanie von Fintel and her friend Franziska Kemper, whose children, Martha (age 3.5) and Melina, are among those affected. Melanie had planned for her daughter to be cared for by a day mother at the Verein zur Pflege on Verdener Straße, but the offer was unexpectedly terminated on September 30th.
Fortunately, Melina's grandmother is currently providing care, but the situation is far from ideal. The fathers of the children work full-time, and the parents of the women are either employed or caring for relatives, limiting their ability to provide hourly or daily childcare.
The Kindergarten am Heideweg, which was scheduled to open this year, has been postponed, adding to the strain. However, there is some good news on the horizon. The new kindergarten on Stockholmer Street is set to open in spring 2024, which should help alleviate some of the pressure.
In Lower Saxony, from the first year of life, a child is entitled to a childcare spot in daycare or a daycare center. From the age of 3, the visit to the kindergarten is free of charge until school enrollment. The Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture guarantees a legal claim for every child in kindergarten age to a childcare offer in a daycare center for 4 hours on 5 weekdays.
However, a recent decision by the Lower Saxony Higher Administrative Court has demanded a 6-hour childcare offer, but it's unclear if this is guaranteed for every child. This increased demand could further complicate the situation for families like Melanie's.
Despite these challenges, Melanie and Melina, along with their friend, Melina, have found a way to support each other. They often play together in their shared living space, with the slide in the children's room serving as a popular attraction.
As the city continues to grow, it's clear that more needs to be done to address the kindergarten shortage and ensure that every child has access to quality childcare.
