Overview

• Starting January 1, 2027, Brandenburg will lower its kindergarten staff-to-child ratio from 4.25 to 4.0 children per caregiver.
• Annual funding for extended childcare hours will drop from €20 million to €4 million, reducing late-hour flexibility for working parents.
• The Kita-Elternbeirat called the ratio change a “small step in the right direction” while cautioning that it could be revised in upcoming budget negotiations.
• Except for low-income families, parents must continue paying monthly childcare fees on top of their taxes to fund the system.
• Parent representatives are demanding a comprehensive reform of the Kita-Gesetz to address the current imbalance in childcare financing.