The number of children in the Ludwigsburg district has risen again. As of December 31, 2023, there were a total of 78,389 children aged 0 to 14, which represents an increase of 482 children compared to the previous year. "This moderate increase underlines the continued high demand for childcare places," said Anja Beckmann, Head of the District Office's Children, Youth and Family Department.
Staff shortage still a problem in childcare
In the area of U3 childcare (0 to under 3 years), a total of 5,908 childcare places were available as of March 1, 2024, an increase of 188 places compared to the previous year. The coverage rate for this age group thus rose to 35.92% (previous year: 34.05%). Despite the slight decrease in the number of children in this age group by 351 children, the expansion of places was able to further improve provision.
However, the report also shows a gap between the number of approved and actually occupied places: Of the 5,908 places available, only 5,050 were occupied - this is due to the ongoing staff shortage.
Meanwhile, 22,471 childcare places were made available for children aged 3 to 6.5 years, which corresponds to an increase of 524 places compared to the previous year. This represents an increase of 2.81% in the level of provision. "This development is positive, although the number of children in this age group has also fallen slightly," says Beckmann.
School childcare: challenges and expansion planning
The number of children in school childcare (6.5 to 14 years) is also rising steadily. As of March 1, 2024, there were 41,774 children living in the district, which represents an increase of 873 children. The number of childcare places was increased by 469 to a total of 16,550 places, resulting in a slight increase in the coverage rate to 39.62%. The expansion of school childcare remains an urgent task, as Beckmann emphasized, particularly in view of the law on all-day support for children of primary school age (GaFöG), which will come into force in 2026.
Meanwhile, the number of active childminders in the district has fallen slightly: as of March 1, 2024, there were 248 childminders (previous year: 250). At the same time, the number of children in care rose from 849 to 854. This opposing trend indicates that fewer childminders are looking after more and more children. The trend towards mergers of childminders in shared rooms is also continuing. In addition, the report shows that the professionalization of child day care continues to progress, for example through more intensive training for childminders.
"The report on child daycare in the Ludwigsburg district illustrates both the progress made in expanding childcare places and the existing challenges, particularly due to the ongoing staff shortage," said Beckmann, summarizing the situation.
