Kita St. Georg in Strücklingen: Is the facility in danger of being shut down?

Kita St. Georg in Strücklingen: Is the facility in danger of being shut down?

The St. Georg Catholic daycare center in Strücklingen is currently facing several challenges that could impact early childhood care in the region. The CDU community association chairman Markus Janssen sharply criticizes the administration for its lack of action to secure the future of the facility. The problems are not new: The daycare center's need for renovation has been known for a long time, but concrete measures have so far been lacking.

In the discourse surrounding the sponsorship, there is now intensive discussion as to whether this is a failure on the part of the administration or whether the Friesoythe pastoral area is seeking to withdraw from responsibility. Such a step could have massive financial and structural consequences for the municipality. “We would like to avert an impending loss of quality through greater commitment from the church,” Janssen continued.

Importance of the daycare center for the community

The St. Georg daycare center, located at Kirchweg 12, is an important part of early childhood education in Strücklingen. The facility currently offers several groups, including three regular groups as well as an all-day group, an integration group and a crèche group. Children up to the age of three are looked after and supported here, making the daycare an essential point of contact for many families. Those interested have the opportunity to visit the daycare center on certain days and experience a typical morning.

This demonstration of the need is underlined by the SPD and Greens' requests for a citizen survey, which are, however, not viewed as productive. Instead, the CDU is pushing for quick action to ensure the daycare center continues to operate from August 1st, 2025. Regular special meetings on the issue have already been requested.

Sponsorship and quality in early childhood education

Particularly in the current discussion about the sponsorship of the institutions, issues such as quality and financial design are coming to the fore. According to the information from the education server, statistical surveys show that there were around 59,300 registered daycare centers in Germany in 2022, of which 39,700 are independently run. These independent providers often include welfare associations and religious communities such as the Catholic Church, which is responsible for the St. Georg daycare center. The educational mission of the church plays a central role here and needs to be safeguarded.

These burdens are particularly important for early childhood care, as a withdrawal of church sponsorship could not only lead to higher costs, but also lead to a loss of quality of the educational offerings in Strücklingen.

Ultimately, it becomes clear that the responsibility for the St. Georg daycare center not only affects the municipality, but also the providers. The next few months will decide on the continued existence of this valuable educational institution in the heart of Strücklingen. If the administration doesn't take action soon, there could be bitter disappointment for many parents and children. Time is of the essence and the community is facing a crucial shift in early childhood education.

For further information about the St. Georg facility, please visit the website Saterland Church or find out more about them Goals for carrier development in the daycare system.