Demands financial security ensured for day care facilities
In Schleswig-Holstein, the implementation of full-day care for primary school children has been set as a legal entitlement for the school year 2026/27, as part of a broader federal and state initiative to provide all-day education and care for children at primary schools. However, concerns have been raised about the financial implications for municipalities.
FDP (Free Democratic Party) representative, Anne Riecke, has expressed worries about the financial risk municipalities may face when creating the necessary capacities for full-day care. Riecke has demanded secure financing for full-day care, regardless of the number of places taken up, and proposed that the state should cover 75% of the actual costs.
In response, the state government has agreed to fund full-day care at 85%. Future funds for full-day care applications will be provided proportionally, according to Finance Minister Silke Schneider (Greens).
Despite the state's commitment, Riecke remains concerned about the financial difficulties municipalities might encounter in operating the created full-day care places. The FDP MP has criticized the state's plan to participate proportionally and only in fully occupied full-day care places, as it leaves municipalities with all further costs, creating an uncalculable financial risk.
The first primary school children with a legal right to full-day care are expected to be enrolled within the next year. However, Riecke has emphasized the need for clarity on various issues related to full-day care before its implementation, such as the exact financial obligations and funding mechanisms for Schleswig-Holstein municipalities.
For precise details about Schleswig-Holstein’s financial obligations and funding mechanisms for the 2026/27 school year, including municipal budget shares, state subsidy levels, and any specific legislation, one would need to consult official Schleswig-Holstein government education policy documents or legislative texts.
The FDP is not the only party raising concerns about full-day care implementation. Future funds for full-day care applications are currently available within a funding guideline, with an open application volume of around 240 million euros. Despite this, Riecke and the FDP continue to emphasize the need for clarity and transparency in the process to ensure a successful and financially sustainable implementation of full-day care in Schleswig-Holstein schools.
The FDP MP, Anne Riecke, has expressed concerns about potential financial difficulties municipalities might face in operating the created full-day care places, due to the state's plan to participate proportionally and only in fully occupied places. Riecke has called for secure financing for full-day care, arguing that the state should cover 75% of the actual costs.
For a comprehensive understanding of Schleswig-Holstein’s financial obligations and funding mechanisms for the 2026/27 school year, including municipal budget shares, state subsidy levels, and any specific legislation, one would need to consult official Schleswig-Holstein government education policy documents or legislative texts.
With the first primary school children set to be enrolled within the next year, learning and education-and-self-development organizations are closely monitoring policy-and-legislation developments, as well as general-news sources, for updates on funding decisions and guidelines, hoping to ensure a financially sustainable implementation of full-day care in Schleswig-Holstein schools, addressing concerns raised by parties like the FDP.
