More than 32,000 people have supported a list of demands for better conditions in Saxony's kindergartens. The signatures were handed over to the Ministry of Education in Dresden on Monday. Among other things, they called for a better staffing ratio, the safeguarding of daycare centers even with declining numbers of children and more practical relevance in the training of future specialists.
The list of demands and the collection of signatures was initiated by the alliance "Strong daycare centers for strong children". In addition to the leading associations of independent welfare organizations, it includes a number of other organizations. The demands are aimed at the future state government.
Despite falling child numbers, the future quality of childcare is under massive threat if it is not possible to keep 100% of the current staff in the system through sufficient funding, warned the deputy state chair of the GEW, Astrid Axmann. "The huge opportunity to make the Saxon staffing ratio more realistic must be seized." Improved childcare quality must also remain affordable for local authorities and parents, emphasized Frank Schaffrath from the Workers' Welfare Association in Saxony. To achieve this, state funding must be maintained at the current level. "Early childhood education is an investment in the future."
