Moms and dads are sometimes tired, irritable, unnerved and emotional. But the Free State is wasting an opportunity if it does not include them in daycare policy.
Parents of young children are not easy negotiators. They are sometimes tired, irritable, unnerved, emotional, sometimes irrelevant, and sometimes they write angry letters to the ministry. It is not surprising that in Bavaria they are usually asked from a safe distance when it comes to daycare policy in the Free State. Relying on the supporting associations, who after all should also know what is on the parents’ minds. Brings a well-known expert into the house, whose children may have grown up a long time ago, but who is at least predictable and promises continuity. And yet the Free State is missing a real opportunity with this approach.
The challenges on the care front are immense. Thousands of educators are already missing, the carriers dig up the skilled workers from each other with staff housing and surcharges. With the legal entitlement to all-day care, the need increases even further. Right in the middle: parents who can hardly plan now because they don’t know whether there will be anything with the crèche place – and then like to vent their helplessness and frustration on politics.
Other federal states have long since gone further. Almost all of them brought the parents to the table in the form of official representatives. For a good reason: Anyone who takes part in discussions about fees and quality, has a say in hearings about inclusion and helps to forge laws on childcare ratios in daycare centers has to filter out the common denominator from the mass of parents’ opinions – and inevitably also develops an understanding of the needs of politics. This too can benefit from a fresh perspective from the outside. After all, working mothers and fathers are also IT experts, project managers, management consultants. Why not take responsibility for them?
That would not only be democratic, but also politically wise. After all, parents are also a group of voters that should not be underestimated. The opposition has recognized this. The CSU, in turn, would be well advised to bury their fear of excessive discussions and shake hands with parents. But they in turn have to show that they don’t just see politics as a vicarious agent for maximum parent-friendly childcare. But that they are also willing to make compromises and seek understanding for unpopular decisions. For example, if the pandemic once again destroys the afternoon care you thought was safe.