Immediate package against lack of educators

The serious lack of educators is also a problem that concerns the city of Puchheim. An immediate program should now remedy the situation. For this, 450,000 euros will be taken in hand. The quality of care also plays a role.

Puchheim - With a quality fund and an immediate program with 450,000 euros, the city wants to combat the shortage of staff in the daycare centers. After some discussion, the social council of the city council now approved the concept, which primarily aims to promote trainees. The idea: budding educators and carers, but also interns or young people in the Voluntary Social Year should be practically financed by the city.

In this case, they no longer fall under the normal employment key and, it is hoped, will no longer only be used as an emergency nail or fire brigade in the normal course of business. There is even a loyalty bonus (1000 euros) for young professionals who stay on site. After their apprenticeship, they are said to have got the impression: "Gosh, I can learn something in Puchheim", as Martin Kulzinger of the social welfare office put it.

Many educators will retire in the near future

The quality fund, which is initially limited to three years, is actually much more comprehensive. Health promotion, inclusion, additional educational projects should theoretically be equally eligible. Only: If the specialists are missing, all other efforts are waste. The fact that the situation is precarious became clear at the latest at a daycare center summit, which Mayor Norbert Seidl had recently convened and in which a total of 30 delegates from all the childcare providers, staff representatives and parents' councils (but no children) took part. There are already at least seven employees missing across the city, and in some cases parents are stepping in to take care of groups. The future looks bleak: Educators are also needed for future full-day care at schools. In addition, many employees are facing retirement.

The topic at the Kita summit was also the Greater Munich allowance, which had been requested by numerous parents in a petition. The city council will decide on this bonus for the employees in March - result open. However, individual (larger) providers are also said to have warned against additionally fueling competition between municipalities and care providers. There was talk of a “greyhound race”. In this way, new specialists are not to be won in any case, or at least not at short notice.

Many children rely on full-day supervision

The bonus of up to EUR 270 was also discussed in detail in the committee. And the question of whether mothers and fathers could also contribute to keeping or getting staff. "I don't see why the parents don't even pay 50 euros more," said Maria Ostermeier (ubp). Some would then consider whether they really always need eight hours of booking time. Christine Eger (CSU) brought in daycare fees depending on income and Gisela Gigliotti (Greens) considered the politics of the "last 20 years" to be wrong. Puchheim had always had the cheapest tariffs in the district and so raised to think: "This is now revenge."

Rosmarie Ehm (SPD), on the other hand, thought that long booking times would make sense, especially for children from lower-income families. Adequate care may be lacking at home. And Jens Tönjes, managing director in the town hall, protected parents who, for professional reasons, were simply dependent on full-time supervision for the little ones. And in the meantime, daycare centers are now also educational institutions - actually like schools. And nobody is right to talk about school fees.

by Olf Paschen

Already at the end of last year there was a dispute in the city council about a Munich allowance for educators. An air-inflated hall is now available for schools and clubs in Puchheim.