SPD advocates for policy revision
In the region of Kreis Paderborn, 65 out of 215 daycare facilities have faced closures or restrictions since the beginning of 2025, as reported by the NRW Family Ministry to the state parliament in response to a request from the SPD parliamentary group. Across the state, about 3,991 out of around 10,700 childcare centers, known locally as Kitas, have been affected.
Matthias Fiedler, the SPD's candidate for Landrat, has expressed alarm over this situation, stating, "The critical state of daycare centers persists. Since the beginning of the year, 65 facilities in Kreis Paderborn have been compelled to temporarily shut down, dissolve groups, or drastically reduce their services." Fiedler questions whether the state government will continue to remain indifferent as this crisis unfolds.
Silke Kohaupt, chair of the SPD Kreistag fraction, emphasizes the precariousness of the current situation, explaining, "The system is dangerously close to collapse. Providers are far beyond their financial limits - they simply cannot afford to maintain an adequate staff." She strongly advocates for increased financial support from the state and a comprehensive reform of the Children's Education Act to prevent a complete system collapse in the future.
Fiedler points out the consequences of these closures and cutbacks, stating, "These closures and loss of places aren't just numbers - they represent a significant challenge for families who struggle to plan their daily lives."
The SPD in Kreis Paderborn has proposed several measures to address these issues. Among their demands are full cost coverage for wage increases and the establishment of a daycare emergency fund to provide urgent assistance during temporary staff shortages. In the long term, Fiedler suggests eliminating daycare fees within the Kreis. "If we take early childhood education seriously, it should not be financially burdensome for parents," he explains, advocating for improved working conditions for educators and strategies to alleviate the shortage of qualified staff.
The SPD calls upon Kreis Paderborn to work collaboratively with providers, municipalities, and parents to find effective solutions. Kohaupt underscores the need for meaningful action in family policy, "Rather than empty promises, we need a genuine breakthrough in family policy - one that strengthens families by ensuring access to reliable, high-quality childcare."
Other politicians have also weighed in on the issue, with policy-and-legislation regarding family policy being a hot topic in the politics of Kreis Paderborn. General news outlets are reporting increased tension and calls for action, with the SPD advocating for a comprehensive reform of the Children's Education Act and the establishment of a daycare emergency fund.
