Advocacy groups urge immediate changes to the childcare regulations legislation - Call for Urgent Amendments to the Kita Law by Opponents
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the state parliament is preparing to reform the Children's Education Act (Kinderbildungsgesetz, KiBiz), with implementation scheduled for the 2026/27 academic year. However, municipal associations have expressed concerns about the reform due to financial and organisational uncertainties.
The associations fear that the new regulations may lead to increased financial burdens on municipalities without adequate state funding, challenges in managing and organising early childhood education services under the revised legal framework, and unclear or shifting responsibilities between the state and municipalities. These concerns suggest that the reform, while aiming to improve early childhood education quality and accessibility, might inadvertently strain local administrations both financially and operationally.
The opposition in the state parliament is urging the black-green state government to clarify the timeline for the reform of the KiBiz. The SPD, in particular, has proposed that the reform may not be implemented as planned in 2026/27, potentially putting a central promise of the black-green state government at risk.
The KiBiz regulates the basic funding and organisation of daycare facilities in NRW, including those in Düsseldorf. The flat rate for each daycare child in the KiBiz is determined by the child's age, care requirements, and the number of hours of care. These flat rates are adjusted annually and are set to increase by nearly ten percent by the 2025 school year.
To alleviate some of the financial pressure on municipalities, the SPD is advocating for a reform of the KiBiz to restore a fair distribution of funding burdens. The SPD also argues that the reform is necessary to provide more reliability for families and ensure the quality of child support, as well as to reduce the workload of staff.
In addition to the KiBiz reform, the state parliament is planning to pass the state law on debt relief for municipalities and the appointment of a state children's protection commissioner. The debate on the reform of the KiBiz will take place during a current hour session, as requested by the SPD in the state parliament.
The municipal associations have sent an open letter to the state government, complaining about the underfunding of early childhood education, as reported by the "Rheinische Post". They advocate for clearer funding commitments and better coordination to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition. The state government is yet to respond to these concerns.
- The municipal associations are seeking community aid, expressing concerns over the financial and organizational challenges posed by the impending reform of the Children's Education Act (KiBiz).
- The opposition in the state parliament is emphasizing the need for policy-and-legislation clarity, urging the state government to provide a clear timeline for the KiBiz reform and address the financial concerns raised by municipalities.
- In response to the concerns about underfunding of early childhood education, the SPD is advocating for vocational training in policy-making and administration, aiming to equip administrators with the necessary skills to manage the reform effectively and provide quality child support.
