Child care: Germany performs poorly
25 industrialized nations have taken a close look at the children's charity. On the basis of ten criteria was checked: How much actually flows into promotion and care? And: Does it really matter where it is needed?
The result is not a nice Christmas present for Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen. Only Sweden achieved the full score - followed by other Scandinavian countries and France. Germany finished in midfield - with only five points. Among other things, the education and payment of the kindergarten teachers, the high level of child poverty and the low state expenses for day-care centers were criticized. At least one percent of the gross domestic product should flow into childcare - but in Germany it has so far been just 0.4 percent! However, improvement is in sight: By 2013, massive investments will be made in the expansion of day nursery care - this has already been decided by the Federal Government, along with all other EU states.
But that alone is not enough. In a supplementary study on the regional use of childcare, Professor Katharina Spieß from the German Institute for Economic Affairs notes: Children from disadvantaged families visit crèches and kindergartens much less frequently. Yet they could especially profit from the offers for early support. Professor Lothar Krappmann, member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, warns: "If we do not succeed in providing access to disadvantaged children as well, they will be deported even before enrollment."
In the UNICEF study, it is repeatedly pointed out how crucial early childhood is for later development. Every euro invested in the promotion of small children brings back up to eight euros - for example in the form of higher tax revenues or lower social spending.
Ursula von der Leyen: "We have to get better"
Federal Family Mister Ursula von der Leyen was not surprised by the results of the study when asked by ChroniquesDuVasteMonde. "Unicef's certification certifies mediocrity because we are well positioned in some fields and need to get better in others," said von der Leyen, who is encouraged to remain persistent in developing good childcare. The fact that Germany would be in the upper midfield at all, was mainly due to the parental allowance and the good care of children from four years.
"We have to get better at caring for small children and in qualifying childminders and carers"says the CDU politician. For this reason, two months ago, the federal government passed a law to ensure that places in day nurseries and day care centers for children under the age of three were created. "This is happening now with high pressure, because the law also says that all parents who are looking for a Kitaplatz for their child, from 2013 have a right to get this too," said von der Leyen, which also in funds against the sees increasing child poverty in Germany. "Children live in poverty when their parents have no work, and parents, especially single parents, can only earn their own income if they have flexible childcare."
Early childhood education in the OECD countries
This is how the 25 tested industrial countries cut off:
>> Here you can see the results in detail
- Sweden (10 minimum standards achieved)
- Iceland (9)
- Denmark (8)
- Finland (8)
- France (8)
- Norway (8)
- Belgium (6)
- Hungary (6)
- New Zealand (6)
- Slovenia (6)
- Austria (5)
- Netherlands (5)
- England (5)
- Germany (5)
- Italy (4)
- Japan (4)
- Portugal (4)
- South Korea (4)
- Mexico (3)
- Spain (3)
- Switzerland (3)
- USA (3)
- Australia (3)
- Canada (3)
- Ireland (3)
Further information on the UNICEF study at www.unicef.de
