Gathering of Danish and German kite suppliers at the Landtag (regional parliament)
In a recent meeting, 25 kindergarten directors from Oberhausen and Dinslaken, along with experts from provider associations, convened with MP Stefan Zimkeit in the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament. The gathering aimed to discuss the current situation of kindergartens in the region.
Stefan Zimkeit, the SPD's financial expert, expressed concern about the state government's approach to energy costs, particularly in the context of the corresponding NRW aid package. He questioned the government's thriftiness, pointing out potential funding gaps in the Children's Education Act (KiBiz).
Zimkeit called for a complete revision of KiBiz, stating that the announced reform by the black-green coalition for August 2026 would come too late. He received applause from all present for his remarks about the funding gaps in the Children's Education Act (KiBiz).
Dennis Maelzer, the SPD's kindergarten expert, suggested strengthening practice-integrated training (Pia) to match other professions and for it to be fully covered by the state, including for training at open all-day schools. Maelzer believes that the kindergarten profession is attractive, but the multi-year vocational training without remuneration is unattractive.
Raimund Schulz from the evangelical church in Dinslaken agreed with the need for more investment, citing the lack of kindergarten places due to insufficient state funding for construction costs. The current funding from the state is not sufficient to cover significantly increased construction costs for kindergartens.
Britta Glass from Lebenshilfe Oberhausen criticized the insufficient funding for necessary facilities, such as therapy rooms, for proper inclusion. Ursula Harfst from the evangelical church in Oberhausen joined the criticism and questioned how agreed wage increases and increased costs for electricity and gas would be covered.
Stefan Zimkeit further urged the need for an NRW investment program for both schools and kindergartens. Zimkeit emphasized the importance of placing kindergartens at the center of the debate, alongside schools, and advocated for kindergartens as educational institutions.
As of August 2025, there is no direct detailed update available regarding the exact current funding status for kindergartens in North Rhine-Westphalia or any explicit mention of proposed revisions to the Children's Education Act aimed at addressing funding gaps. Consulting official NRW government publications or the Ministry for Children, Families, Refugees and Integration NRW directly would be necessary to obtain precise and up-to-date information about the current status and any prospective changes regarding kindergarten funding and KiBiz reforms in North Rhine-Westphalia.
[1] Official KiTa portal of NRW - https://www.kitaportal-nrw.de/ [2] Germany's and NRW's education laws - https://www.bmbf.de/en/education-laws-150.html [3] Discussions around educational policies - https://www.bildungsministerium.nrw.de/politik/politische-themen/ [4] Quotas or access to higher school levels (Gymnasium) - https://www.bildungsministerium.nrw.de/politik/politische-themen/schulpolitik/gymnasium/ [5] Kindergarten funding or KiBiz revisions - Searched sources did not provide new facts in this regard.
- The discussions during the meeting with MP Stefan Zimkeit highlighted the need for a comprehensive revision of the Children's Education Act (KiBiz) due to potential funding gaps, as well as the call for an NRW investment program for both schools and kindergartens.
- The ongoing debates about education-and-self-development policies in North Rhine-Westphalia involve concerns about funding for kindergartens and the KiBiz, along with discussions about the importance of placing kindergartens at the center of the debate, alongside schools.
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