Erfurt in March 2026: New Kita Orientation, Educational Reform, and Financial Security

Education, Kita, and Budget: The Most Important Topics in March 2026

What was important this month

• Primary and secondary schools are transforming into community schools – with reform pedagogical approaches and mixed-grade classes.
• The Kita demand plan for 2026–2030 has been adopted – aiming for the long-term provision of 10,119 spaces.
• Replacement construction and relocations for Kita facilities are in planning, including a Kita with 120 places by 2027.
• The budget for 2026/2027 will be further discussed – with a focus on personnel security and funding gaps.
• The city is seeking state-wide solutions for financing Kita infrastructure – the Mayor is pushing for political pressure in Thuringia.

Educational Reform: Community Schools for the Future

Erfurt has made significant decisions regarding school development in several districts. The primary and secondary schools "Thomas Mann" and in the Geraaue district will become three-track community schools for grades 1–10 with an introductory phase starting in the 2026/2027 school year. These schools will operate under new names – "State Community School 12" and "State Community School 13," respectively.

The pedagogical concept includes reform pedagogical elements such as mixed-grade classes and interdisciplinary, project-based teaching. The aim is to promote flexibility and individuality in education and to meet the demands of the future.

This school development is part of the city's long-term strategy to modernize the educational landscape while strengthening inclusion and social mobility.

Kita Infrastructure: Securing the Future

The city has approved the medium-term demand plan for child care facilities and care for the years 2026–2030 in several district councils. The demand is for 10,119 child care places, of which 8,451 are currently available. The city has committed to flexibly responding to declining birth rates and ensuring the quality and diversity of Kita providers.

Concrete projects were also in focus, such as the replacement construction of a Kita with 120 places, to be completed by 2027. In addition, several relocations and major renovations are planned. The municipal administration is working closely with church and non-profit providers to enable cooperation models and site changes.

A central goal is to improve the financial security of child care at the state political level. The Mayor has initiated talks with the Thuringian state government and is required to report by the end of 2026.

Budget and Finance: Security for the Future

In the budget discussions, the securing of personnel resources and long-term financial planning were central. The city has passed the second draft of the ordinance to amend the main regulation, which, among other things, adjusts the value thresholds for decisions by the Mayor. These regulations affect, for example, pre-emption rights for land, land sales, and unplanned expenditures.

Another focus was the discussion of the 2026/2027 budget. Although specific figures in euros were not mentioned, it became clear that funding gaps exist in project positions. In the personnel plan, 400.477 VbE (value units) are not financially secured, of which 162.615 VbE in several departments are affected by restrictions.

The city has committed to developing criteria for securing personnel positions by the end of 2027, particularly in major projects such as the biking referendum or the tram line 9. The availability of funds under § 29 Abs. 2 Nr. 1 ThürKO is a prerequisite for this.

Overview: Education, Kita, Budget – a Triad for the Future

The developments in March 2026 show a clear focus on the future viability of the city. The educational reform with community schools, the securing of Kita infrastructure, and the budget planning are central pillars for the development of Erfurt.

An overarching trend is the city's commitment to long-term planning and investment in the educational and care structure. At the same time, it becomes clear that Erfurt depends on state political support to ensure the financial security for the Kita infrastructure.

The challenge is to create structures that will last into the future despite limited resources – whether in school, in child care, or in administration. The city is relying on cooperation, reforms, and political pressure to find long-term solutions.

Conclusion and Outlook

March 2026 was a month of decisions and planning for the future. Erfurt has dealt intensively with educational reform, the securing of Kita infrastructure, and budget planning. The school developments show a clear path toward modern, inclusive education. The Kita planning emphasizes the need for flexibility and quality in early childhood education.

In April, the focus will now be on advancing the adopted measures – especially the replacement construction and relocations in the Kita landscape. At the same time, the talks with the state government on financial security will remain in focus. Erfurt is moving along a course that is oriented toward long-term stability and investments in the future.