Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Approves Smaller Kita Groups and Full-Day Care

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is set to enhance its childcare system with a new amendment to the child day care law, passed by the ruling SPD and Left Party factions. The changes, effective from January 1, 2027, will reduce the number of children per caregiver in nurseries from six to five. Additionally, staffing ratios in after-school care centers will be improved, moving from a 1:22 to a 1:21 ratio starting August 1, 2027.

A significant development is the introduction of a legal right to full-day after-school care for primary school students. This right will initially apply to first graders in the 2026/27 school year and will progressively extend to older grades, with all primary school students from grades one to four guaranteed 40 hours of care per week, including during holidays, by the 2029/30 school year. Parents needing up to 50 hours of care will need to apply to their local youth welfare office.

The state and municipalities currently allocate around one billion euros annually for childcare, which remains free for parents. The new law includes an investment of approximately 43.8 million euros in 2027 and about 47.1 million euros annually thereafter to fund the reduction in group sizes. These funds are expected to come from savings related to state pension obligations, as the federal government has increased its share of these costs.