Cottbus: Childcare Hours in Focus – What Will Change in 2026?

Cottbus: Childcare Hours in Focus – What Will Change in 2026?

Providing childcare for more than 8 hours per day has been a central issue in local childcare policy in Cottbus in recent years. With the cancellation of the "Extended Childcare Hours" guideline from 2026 and the accompanying financial adjustments, the situation for childcare facilities, parents, and the city has fundamentally changed.

Impact of the Cancellation of the Guideline on Childcare Hours

An analysis of a survey among providers shows that 31 out of 36 surveyed childcare facilities already offered extended childcare hours before 2019. 29 of these facilities used the guideline to fund additional staff hours. Between 2023 and 2025, an average of 25–27 childcare facilities used these funds to ensure childcare hours beyond 8 hours per day. In 2025, 870 children received daily childcare for more than 8 hours.

With the cancellation of the guideline from 2026, 24 out of 36 childcare facilities reported negative impacts on their childcare capacity. Six facilities reduced their opening hours from 2025 to 2026. Nevertheless, 32 childcare facilities stated that they would be able to implement the extended right of access under § 1 KitaG from 2026 onwards.

For parents, this means that they must be prepared for increased difficulties in terms of staff absences, group mergings, and limited emergency childcare. These changes will particularly affect families with multiple children or parents with irregular working hours.

Changing Funding: Challenges for Childcare Facilities

Funding for extended childcare hours has been heavily dependent on the guideline in recent years. 31 out of 36 childcare facilities applied for funds from the "Kita Budget," with 23 using these funds for additional staff hours. Only 10 childcare facilities stated that the funds were sufficient to meet the childcare obligation, 14 said "no," and 3 stated that the funds were "partially" sufficient.

In 2026, funding will be provided through the New Personnel Cost Allowance (NPP), voluntary work, reserves, donations, or reduced opening hours. Estimated costs amount to 621,000 € for 1,242 children who require childcare for more than 8 hours.

In addition, the city of Cottbus has set up a funding program for childcare facilities with special needs (2024–2025) amounting to 600,000 €. These funds were exclusively intended for additional childcare staff. Seven out of eight selected childcare facilities fully utilized the funding. Without these funds, additional services such as parental support, accompanying children to doctors, or individual support would no longer be possible.

Legal and Educational Foundations Remain in Place

Despite the cancellation of the guideline, the right to childcare remains in place (§ 1 KitaG). § 9 KitaG obliges childcare facilities to offer opening hours in line with demand, with the maximum childcare duration limited to 10 hours. In addition, the staff ratio (§ 10 KitaG) must cover extended childcare hours. § 12 KitaG obliges providers to ensure childcare in line with demand, and § 14 Abs. 2 KitaG requires that providers are able to ensure extended childcare hours.

These legal foundations provide childcare facilities and the city with a framework to ensure childcare for more than 8 hours in 2026 as well. At the same time, the survey data show that many childcare facilities need additional support to maintain the quality of their work.

Preparing for the Future: Meetings and Applications

On 26 March 2026, the Sub-Committee for Early Childhood Education and Care met to discuss the consequences of the cancellation of the guideline. The agenda also included reports on childcare facilities with special needs, the evaluation of the provider survey, and applications for financial follow-up measures and special payments for childcare workers.

This meeting marks a step towards a long-term solution to ensure childcare hours and quality in Cottbus despite financial constraints. In the coming months, the city must decide whether it will provide additional funds or rely on other funding models to maintain childcare services.

Outlook: How Will Cottbus Respond?

The challenge for Cottbus is to ensure a demand-oriented and high-quality childcare service for more than 8 hours per day despite the cancellation of subsidies and guidelines. The city must also take into account the financial and personnel capacities of childcare facilities.

In the long term, it will depend on whether and how the city can provide additional funds or whether it will rely on solutions such as voluntary work or partnerships with private providers. The survey data show that many childcare facilities are already struggling with the transition – financial follow-up measures could be crucial here.