NRW State Parliament Adopts Kita Reform and Introduction of ABC Classes

Content of the Kibiz Reform

The Kibiz reform had been initiated by the then Family Minister Josefine Paul (Greens); she had resigned in January. Her successor, Verena Schäffer (Greens), subsequently revised the law. Family Minister Schäffer expanded the core time of qualified childcare. It is now to amount to 35 hours per week; previously, 25 hours had been provided for.

Specifically, core times will in future be defined during which the children are cared for by qualified specialist staff. At least five hours per day will be required. During so-called fringe times, other care personnel can be deployed, for example state-certified childcare workers.

Criticism and Concerns

It will also be new that parents will in future be able to book care times in five-hour blocks. According to the state government, the aim of the change is to make childcare more reliable. The background is Kita closures and shortened opening hours due to a shortage of skilled workers, which have been causing problems for parents for months.

The reform is financially flanked by additional funds: And the new Family Minister increased the budget for the Kitas. Around 50 million euros are to flow additionally into language education. The state government is thereby responding to existing bottlenecks in language support programs.

Outlook After the Summer Recess

The Kinderbildungsgesetz, or Kibiz for short, has existed in NRW for 18 years and has been amended several times during this period. The amendment now adopted is regarded as one of the most far-reaching adjustments since the law came into being.

Critics see the increased use of not fully qualified personnel during fringe times as endangering pedagogical quality. Supporters argue that more flexible childcare models and additional funds could improve the overall care situation.

With the reform, the NRW state government is pursuing the goal of making childcare more crisis-proof and at the same time meeting the increased demand for childcare places. The next political deliberations on this will not take place until after the summer recess in September.