Childcare in Erlangen: Funding, Structures, and Future Prospects

Funding and Transparency: CSU Demands Cost Accounting

In April 2026, the CSU City Council faction formulated a clear request to make the financial situation of municipal and independent childcare facilities in Erlangen more transparent. The goal is to provide the City Council with a detailed overview of costs, revenues, and deficits for the 2026 fiscal year. The requested cost accounting is to include not only direct costs but also common costs that are charged via levies such as the Youth Welfare Office and the Building Management.

Special attention is given to the municipal deficit after deducting subsidies in accordance with the Bavarian Child Day Care Act (BayKiBiG). The objective is to create a solid foundation for the further support of the facilities and to better support the City Council in decisions regarding additional funding. The CSU emphasizes that the dramatic financial development of the city requires clear planning—particularly in such a sensitive area as childcare.

Structure and Staffing: An Overview of the Facilities

The municipal childcare facilities in Erlangen include various forms such as nurseries (Krippe), kindergartens (Kiga), after-school programs (Hort), playgroups (Spielstube), and social therapy centers (Lebenshilfe- und Sozialtherapie, LST). In 2024, a total of 1,685 children were cared for in these facilities. The staffing structure is accordingly extensive: 113 staff members work in the nursery, and as many as 1,281 in the kindergarten.

However, the cost structure is strained. The cost and performance accounting (Kosten- und Leistungsrechnung, KLR) for 2024 shows that the cost coverage rate is only 25.5% when all levies and overhead costs are included. Parental contributions only partially cover the costs. In the kindergarten, the average monthly fee per child is merely 65.49 euros. The city finances a significant portion of the operating costs through municipal subsidies and levies—amounting to 5.387 million euros in 2024.

Future of the Youth Workshop: Funding Gap and Political Initiative

Another central topic in youth and child policy is the future of the Diakonie Youth Workshop in Erlangen. The facility has offered training positions for disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 26 since 1984. With an almost 100% training success rate and two national awards, the Youth Workshop is a key player in youth welfare.

However, funding is strained. Currently, around 80,000 euros are missing annually, with the municipal subsidy fixed at 106,685 euros. Therefore, the CSU City Council faction is calling for an increase of 40,000 euros to ensure the long-term sustainability of the facility. This proposal was at the center of the Youth Welfare Committee meeting on April 16, 2026—both politically and financially.

Youth Welfare Committee and Strategic Planning: Future of Youth Policy

The Youth Welfare Committee plays a central role in the development of child and youth policy in Erlangen. It consists of 15 voting members and 12 advisory members and is responsible for local youth welfare planning. The committee works closely with independent youth welfare providers and promotes their inclusion in the planning process.

In April 2026, several strategic topics were on the agenda. In addition to the discussion on the cost accounting of childcare facilities, the strategy process for childcare provision was further developed. Furthermore, a revision of the Youth Welfare Office bylaws was discussed to incorporate legal adjustments and new stakeholder groups such as representatives from the Job Center and self-help groups.

Another project making an impact in the region is the "Youth Subplan – Becoming an Adult in Erlangen." This subplan analyzes the needs of young people and their families and aims to provide recommendations for youth-friendly urban development. The Charter of Youth Work, adopted in July 2024, serves as a guideline for future work.

Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities

Child and youth policy in Erlangen faces several challenges. The financial burden on municipal and independent childcare facilities is noticeable, and the CSU's call for transparency could spark a discussion on long-term funding models. At the same time, securing key institutions such as the Youth Workshop is a central issue to integrate disadvantaged youth into the labor market.

The work of the Youth Welfare Committee and the development of youth welfare planning show that Erlangen is pursuing a participatory and integrative approach. The Charter of Youth Work and the strategy process are steps toward a child- and family-friendly urban development. The challenge now is to implement this vision in practice—financially as well as structurally.