Overview

• An IW study finds that low-income neighborhoods in Germany have up to one-third fewer daycare spots per child compared to wealthier areas.
• Despite a major expansion following the 2013 daycare entitlement law, 300,000 children remain without daycare spots due to growing demand.
• Church-run and private non-profit daycare providers disproportionately establish facilities in affluent areas, exacerbating disparities.
• Municipalities may prioritize the needs of wealthier families, who are more effective at advocating for resources, according to researchers.
• The study warns that unequal daycare distribution could entrench socio-economic inequalities, with cities like Heidelberg ranking best and Gelsenkirchen and Krefeld worst in access.