Childcare in Lohmar – Structural Changes and New Directions in February 2026

Childcare in Lohmar: Structural Changes and New Directions

Childcare is a central pillar for the attractiveness of a municipality – it enables parents to balance work and family life and contributes to the stability of the population structure. In February 2026, the town of Lohmar took several significant steps in this direction, which together indicate a fundamental restructuring of the local childcare landscape.

Establishment of a Working Group for Daycare Services

One of the most important decisions was the establishment of a working group for the area of daycare services. This working group, based on § 78 of the SGB VIII (Social Code, Book VIII), aims to strengthen the networking of youth welfare providers in Lohmar and enable better coordination. The goal is to ensure the quality of care while simultaneously addressing the long-term demand for childcare places.

The working group will regularly report to the Youth Welfare Committee, which is intended to guarantee transparency and continuity. The measure is also reflected in the budget plan, which underlines financial planning security. It should, however, be noted critically that children and young people themselves were not included in the decision-making process – a decision justified as "not effective." This could necessitate an adjustment of participation models in future discussions.

Location Changes and New Construction – A Response to Rising Demand

Lohmar is also making significant investments in the spatial infrastructure of childcare. Numerous construction projects are planned, including the relocation of the daycare facility in Lohmar-Ort and the relocation of the daycare center in Lohmar-Breidt, along with the simultaneous relocation of the public playground. Additionally, the construction of a new daycare center in Scheiderhöhe and the establishment of a new playground in this area are planned.

These measures are part of the daycare facility demand planning and are intended to help meet the demand for childcare places in the city. The planning is oriented toward sustainability, taking into account both spatial and pedagogical aspects. The citizen petition for the establishment of a playground in Lohmar-Honrath also shows how strongly the population is involved in shaping the childcare landscape – a positive development that could be expanded in other areas.

Parental Contributions and Financial Relief

Another focus was on the regulation for the collection of parental contributions in daycare services and facilities. This regulation was unanimously approved by the Youth Welfare Committee and sets clear criteria for the amount of contributions. At the same time, it was decided to suspend the progress rate of the support payment for the kindergarten year 2026–2027.

This package of measures aims to financially relieve daycare providers without overburdening parental funding. The suspension of the progress rate is a step toward financial sustainability, as it takes into account the urgency of cost developments for care services. At the same time, the city of Lohmar remains consistent in its implementation of its goal of "family-friendliness" – a stance that is particularly relevant in the current political debate about the future of childcare in Germany.

Outlook: A Model for Other Municipalities?

Lohmar’s measures in the area of childcare show how a municipality can create sustainable structures with limited resources and a clear goal. The establishment of a working group, the investment in new facilities, and the revision of financial conditions form a whole that could serve as a model for other cities.

In the future, it will be important to integrate the participation of children and young people into the process to better consider their needs. At the same time, financial planning security remains crucial to stabilize investments in infrastructure in the long term. Lohmar has made important decisions this month – the next steps will show whether these measures are sustainable in the long term and whether they can be followed in other areas of municipal policy.