As of: January 29, 2024, 11:59 a.m
By: Magnus Reitinger
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As of March, the parental contribution for a kindergarten place in Weilheim will increase by 30 percent and by 17 percent for a daycare place.
© Symbolic photo: dpa
Now it's fixed: From March, parents will have to pay up to 30 percent more for a daycare place in Weilheim.
The city council decided this unanimously.
The drastic increase is necessary “to keep the system alive”.
Weilheim - It's a rapid development: According to current calculations, the city of Weilheim had to raise over six million euros last year just for the ongoing costs of childcare.
That's around 1.3 million more than in 2022. And that doesn't even include the costs for construction work on the daycare center.
City has “no influence at all” on millions spent
Expenses and therefore financial deficits in the area of childcare are increasing sharply.
“In the interests of the city and all providers, we have to counteract this as quickly as possible,” says Stefan Popp, who is responsible for childcare needs planning at the Weilheim town hall.
In view of the current, more than ten percent wage increase for employees, the city urgently needs to increase parental contributions in kindergartens, crèches and after-school care centers.
Especially since the municipality has “no influence at all” on the majority of the millions spent on childcare, says Popp: it simply dictates state law.
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The daycare fees in Weilheim will increase in March 2024.
© Graphic: mm
The employee's clear appeal was heard in city politics.
After detailed preliminary discussions in the main committee ten days ago, Weilheim's city council decided unanimously and without further discussion at the most recent meeting to increase the daycare fees again on March 1st.
Parents then have to pay between 38 and 62 euros more per month per daycare place (above).
In kindergarten and after-school care, contributions increase by 30 percent and in daycare centers by 17 percent.
The previously additional drink fee of three euros per month is already included in the new rates.
Providers and parent representatives have already been informed
The decision applies directly to municipal daycare facilities.
However, the fees are also coordinated with all other daycare providers in Weilheim and are always set in the same way.
All sponsors had already been informed in writing in advance, explained Popp.
On the day of the committee meeting there was a meeting with the facility management and parent representatives.
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Financial Concernsread
Mayor praises the “excellent offerings in our city”
The city administration concluded that the increase in contributions would undoubtedly be “noticeable for parents,” but it was necessary “to ensure childcare availability and a diverse range of providers.”
“We really have an excellent offering in our city,” emphasized Mayor Markus Loth (BfW).
With the new fees, Weilheim is “at a similar level as in Peiting and Schongau”.
And it is to be expected that “other municipalities will follow suit”.
“As a social democrat you have to justify yourself”
“If you as a Social Democrat agree to such an increase, you of course have to justify yourself in public,” said Bernhard Kerscher at the council meeting – and did so immediately.
According to the SPD representative, he was convinced by Popp: “You have to agree to keep the system alive.” At the same time, the city must do everything possible to ensure that affected parents find out about all state funding options for families.
A corresponding information sheet has already been designed, replied Stefan Popp.
The information should also be placed directly on the online registration page for the daycare centers, if possible in different languages.
As already reported, the parent contribution for lunch in Weilheim's childcare facilities will also be increased from September 2024: instead of 3.50 euros, 4.05 euros per meal will then have to be paid.
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