Shock in Senftenberg: First daycare center closes due to birth crisis!

Shock in Senftenberg: First daycare center closes due to birth crisis!

A worrying trend is emerging in Senftenberg, Brandenburg: the first daycare center “Froggi” will close at the end of July. The main reason for this decision is the alarmingly low occupancy rate of just 54.3 percent, which is reflected in 32 occupied places out of a total of 70, like rbb24 reported.

The decline in birth rates is not just a local problem, but a nationwide problem that is particularly hitting eastern Germany hard. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the birth rate in eastern Germany has fallen by 52 percent since 1990, and developments in Senftenberg reflect these worrying figures. The district's head of social affairs, Alexander Erbert, points out a worrying trend: "We have been observing a decline in the number of children for two years."

Demographic challenges

The falling birth rates in Brandenburg are the result of several factors. On the one hand, economic uncertainties and crises have a direct impact on family planning. On the other hand, demographics as a whole play a role, which has been characterized in Brandenburg since 1990 by low birth rates and waves of emigration of younger generations. This migration led to a shortage of available workers and predominantly affected rural areas, while the Berlin-facing regions benefited from suburbanization brandenburg.de mentioned.

Statistics show that Brandenburg's birth rates continue to decline, which is exacerbating the challenges in the daycare system. The district currently looks after around 7,200 children in over 90 facilities, consisting of ten self-sponsored municipalities and 28 independent providers. This is in contrast to the planned measures such as the new daycare center in Großräschen, which is being built on the basis of needs analyses.

Reforms and need for expansion

Another significant problem is the lack of teachers in daycare centers. After all, from August 2026 there will be a legal right to all-day care for first grade primary school children, which will gradually be expanded to other age groups. Requirements planning in the district takes place every three months and is based on current figures from the daycare providers. Important reforms in early childhood education must now come. Alexander Erbert calls for flexible use of space and new care formats to counteract the existing deficiencies.

The challenges in the daycare system are part of a broader demographic change that affects almost every aspect of life in Brandenburg. The state government is grappling with these challenges, but finding and implementing real solutions requires good interaction between elected representatives, administration and local citizens. Initiatives and projects in many communities are already showing how demographic changes can be dealt with creatively.

Social framework conditions

The ebb and flow of birth rates is not just a local issue; Nationwide fat leather also shows trends that influence Brandenburg. In 2023, the number of births in Germany fell to its lowest level since 2013, with a birth rate of just 1.38. These numbers are in stark contrast to the growing metropolitan regions, where an increase of 3.3 million people has been recorded since 2012, as exciting analyzes show destatis.de confirm.

In rural areas and especially in eastern Germany, however, the situation is precarious. The age quotient, i.e. the ratio of the older population to the employed population, is 48 in East Germany, while the national average is 36. These demographic differences highlight the urgent need to find innovative solutions to stabilize the population in rural areas while ensuring good early childhood care.

The closure of the “Froggi” daycare center is just one sign in the larger situation that affects demographic change. There is a lot of need for discussion so that children in Brandenburg can continue to be well looked after in the future and families can find perspective.