Parents with young children could lean back and relax in their hair if only there were enough educators. Sufficient places in day nurseries, kindergartens, day care and after-school care are in principle available. But the staff is scarce, which is why efforts are being made to acquire skilled workers. In addition to the large-scale allowance, the local council recently decided to pay a labor market allowance. One also wants to participate in the project for the qualification of Spanish specialists of the district office.
How difficult it is to look into the future recently became apparent when it was discovered in the town hall that the increase in schoolchildren forecast by the Institute for Social Planning, Youth and Elderly Welfare (SAGS) will not even occur in the next few years. The extension of the primary school in Jagdfeld, which is now due to open after the summer holidays, suddenly appeared oversized. Nevertheless: The town hall is still convinced that the number of children in schools and childcare facilities will continue to rise. The town hall also relies on figures from SAGS when it comes to the need for day nurseries, kindergartens and after-school care. And they are clearly pointing upwards in the next few years.
The completion of the renovation work on the Protestant children’s house of the Jesus Church, where, according to the Education and Social Affairs department, 20 crèche places can still be occupied in the town hall, is currently bringing some relief. According to this, 24 places are free for small children in the Progress Children’s House on Hans-Brush-Strasse. The provisional day-care center on Computer Street in Unterhaar, where 18 kindergarten children can find accommodation, has also brought relief. Further children can still move up in other facilities. But the same applies everywhere: It works when staff is there. Otherwise, the seats remain free despite the availability of rooms. With consequences for some families. Because 21 crèche children and 16 kindergarten children are on waiting lists with prospects until summer 2022, although not all of them are entitled to a place. Regardless of this, the local council has confirmed that the demand has officially been met.
The relatively good situation also has to do with the fact that a community kindergarten has opened in Gronsdorf in the new building area at the train station on Heimgartenstrasse, in which 50 places have been available since this year of care. The old facility in Gronsdorf on Sofienstraße remained open, contrary to what was originally planned, and still offers 20 places. The new large facility in the Art Nouveau park with 75 seats, which the community will also operate, will then open in the support year 2022/2023. According to the town hall, the Haar Neighborhood Aid plans to convert the children’s park with playgroup character into a large day care facility and thus create more places for small children.
When it comes to after-school care, the Jagdfeld elementary school comes into focus. While there was no full-day class at the Konradschule next school year, the offer in the Jagdfeld is being expanded. An additional educational staff with a quarter position will work there. The concept is switched to a rhythmic teaching. There are currently seven children in Haar on the waiting list for after-school care.