Putting the Best Foot Forward: Minister Pushes for Funding a Third Free Kindergarten Year in Thuringia
Politician advocateates for financial backing to provide an additional year of no-cost childcare services. - Government Official Advocates for Funding Festival's Extension of Gratuity-Exempt Scholarships for Third Successive Year
Venture into the heart of Thuringia, and you'll find Education Minister Christian Tischner (CDU) spearheading a compelling call to action. Tischner asserts that the double budget for the years 2026 and 2027 must adequately fund the implementation of a third free kindergarten year.
Tischner exclaims, "We can't compromise on the quality of early childhood and school education merely to offer an additional free year for little ones," addressing the German Press Agency. With the third kindergarten year high on the agenda, Tischner stresses that all areas should remain untouched in his department's budget.
30-35 million euros on the line
As of now, the penultimate and last kindergarten years are already free in Thuringia. The third free year, a hot topic advocated for by the Left Party, comes with a hefty price tag of approximately 30 to 35 million euros each year.
In the drafting process of the 2025 state budget, the CDU, BSW, and SPD coalition partners managed to convince the Left Party parliamentary group to introduce the third free kindergarten year in Thuringia as early as August 1, 2027. To cover the expenses, the necessary funds must be allocated in the double budget for 2026/2027.
Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) views this double budget as the first fiscal plan to proudly bear the Brombeer coalition's signature. The existing state budget 2025 was still crafted under the purview of the previous red-red-green government.
- Children
- Thuringia
- Christian Tischner
- CDU
- Double budget
- Quality education
- Early childhood education
- Erfurt
While information about the current status and funding plan for the third free kindergarten year in Thuringia is scarce, it's worth noting that Germany generally emphasizes the importance of supporting families and promoting early education. Policies like Elterngeld (parental allowance) have been introduced to help families with young children, albeit its effectiveness varies depending on income levels. Additionally, immigrant training programs to become nursery school teachers or early years teachers could play a role in expanding the educational workforce in regions like Thuringia.
- In Thuringia, Education Minister Christian Tischner (CDU) is advocating for the allocation of funds in the double budget for 2026 and 2027 to cover the expenses of implementing a third free kindergarten year.
- The Left Party in Thuringia supports the idea of a third free kindergarten year, which is projected to cost approximately 30 to 35 million euros each year.
- The CDU, BSW, and SPD coalition partners in Thuringia have successfully persuaded the Left Party parliamentary group to introduce the third free kindergarten year as early as August 1, 2027.
- Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) sees the double budget as the first fiscal plan that would reflect the Brombeer coalition's influence, as the existing state budget 2025 was still drafted under the previous red-red-green government's supervision.
