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Frankfurt Backs Childcare Pay Top-Up as Council Vote Looms

The €25 million, five-year plan would add monthly supplements for educators and support staff to help offset high living costs and will be evaluated for its impact.

Overview

  • The magistrate approved a proposal that would begin on January 1, 2026, pending city council approval.
  • Educators and other pedagogical staff would receive €200 more per month, housekeeping staff and assistants €100, and newly qualified trainees a one-time €400 bonus.
  • The supplements would cover staff in crèches, kindergartens and all-day primary school care run by the city and independent providers, with about 10,000 employees eligible.
  • The program is budgeted at roughly €25 million per year for five years, includes a formal evaluation of retention and recruitment, and is slated to index to tariff increases from 2027.
  • City leaders cite high living costs and staffing shortages as the rationale, the council must still secure votes and pass the budget, and a welfare association has questioned limiting the boost to childcare roles.