Playgroups are often the result of parents' initiatives and are a valuable addition to day nurseries and kindergartens.
Such as the Zwergerlstube in Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn.
But in times of Corona they are at the bottom, both in terms of opening and financially, criticizes the AWO.
Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn
- The Zwergerlstube has been part of the AWO Kreisverband München Land since 2020 and is professionally run by a social worker and two child minders.
"The parent-child groups and the play area contribute to a differentiated and needs-based care offer and are an important component within the network of care and support offers for families," says Michael Germayer, board member of the AWO district association.
No reimbursement of fees for the playgroups
But in Corona times, they are at the bottom, both in terms of opening and financially, criticizes the AWO in a press release.
In spring 2020, the playgroups in Bavaria were closed for three and a half months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Significantly longer than other forms of childcare.
While families whose children visit a facility funded by BayKiBiG were reimbursed their parents' fees, the playgroups were left empty-handed.
Financial hardship
This not only burdened the families, but also brought the dwarf parlor into financial difficulties.
As a courtesy, the Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn community agreed to provide financial support for the dwarf parlor.
From July 2020, the dwarfs were looked after again under pandemic conditions with an adapted concept and great effort.
"We have expanded our hygiene concept to include a corona concept and are constantly adapting it," says Britta Werhahn, social worker and head of the Zwergerlstube.
In practice, this means that the supervisors must wear a mask, keep their distance, wash hands, regular airing, no entry for parents, renunciation of the singing circle, sole use of the garden, fixed groups, keeping daily lists, acclimatization to hygiene requirements and much more.
By mid-December the group had to be closed again and emergency care had to be offered.
Even in the second lockdown, the playgroups go away empty-handed
"Since then we have been trying to keep in contact with the children and their families with great effort and a lot of imagination, in order to make the lockdown phase easier for them," says Britta Werhahn, describing the situation.
By resolution of the cabinet in January 2021, all families whose children attend an institution funded by the BayKiBiG will be reimbursed the parental contributions for January and February.
But even in the second lockdown, the Zwergerlstube, like all playgroups in Bavaria, goes away empty-handed because it does not meet the conditions.
"This leads to a clear disadvantage of the families compared to all other families who use childcare facilities," says Michael Germayer and is now hoping for political support.
"Here playgroups are completely forgotten as an alternative form of care in the Bavarian childcare landscape, even those that are professionally run," criticizes Germayer.
This is how the ministry justifies its decision
It is still unclear how things will continue in the next few weeks.
While the daycare centers were allowed to reopen on this Monday, subject to appropriate conditions, the playgroups remain closed according to the regulation on infection protection.
"We will inform you immediately as soon as there are changes with regard to the playgroups", it says succinctly in the information from the ministry.
A request via the Corona hotline showed that playgroups are not allowed to open because they often consist of changing people and this would make it difficult to trace contacts.
“That doesn't apply to all playgroups,” says Britta Werhahn, especially not to the dwarf parlor.
It is precisely the small care groups with permanent carers and registered children that make up this playgroup and offer parents an alternative form of care to day care or to daycare and kindergarten.
