Federal Education Minister Karin Prien described investments in daycare centers (Kitas) as a “fateful question for Germany.” She emphasized that from local administrators to the federal chancellor, all political levels must recognize that the survival of Germany’s economy and democracy depends on improvements in early childhood education. Prien pointed to the current dramatic situation in the German education system and framed declining birth rates as an opportunity to invest in quality early education, aiming for a “demographic dividend” across all federal states.

Prien warned against using freed-up funds to cover budget gaps and proposed addressing support needs in language, motor skills, and social-emotional development in a targeted manner, starting with children facing particularly challenging conditions, guided by a social index. She also stressed the importance of retaining professionals in early childhood education. Under the planned Kita Quality Act, federal funds will only be released if specific quality standards and requirements are met, a topic scheduled for the upcoming Education Ministers’ Conference.