The Left party is calling for increased federal involvement in financing childcare services. Heidi Reichinnek, parliamentary group leader for the Left, argues that the federal government cannot deflect responsibility by citing education as a matter for the individual states, especially given its role in establishing the legal entitlement to childcare places. “Whoever legislates, cannot let others pay the bill” she stated in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
Currently, the federal government provides approximately two billion euros annually to support states and municipalities. However, Reichinnek highlights that the cost of the childcare system has risen by roughly three billion euros each year, now exceeding 50 billion euros overall. She advocates for reliable and adequate federal funding, alongside the implementation of nationwide quality standards.
To facilitate discussion, Reichinnek has extended an invitation to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to host a “childcare summit” in the Bundestag. The proposed meeting, scheduled for November 20th, aims to bring together representatives from the federal government, states, municipalities, childcare employees and parents.
In her letter to Chancellor Merz, Reichinnek described the current childcare system as being “on the brink of collapse”. She emphasized the strain placed on childcare staff, the ongoing shortage of available childcare places and the significant skills gap within the sector. Reichinnek’s party anticipates that this shortage will be further exacerbated next year with the introduction of a legal entitlement to full-day primary school care, potentially prompting childcare staff to transition to after-school programs.
