Increased funding announced for additional kindergarten employees

Increased funding for additional employees at kindergartens - Additional funds granted for additional equipment personnel

The Culture Minister of Saxony, Conrad Clemens (CDU), has announced an expansion of the "KINDER STÄRKEN 2.0" program, aimed at providing additional support to children in challenging situations and their families. The funding for this expansion comes from the "Strengthening Children 2.0" program of the European Social Fund (ESF), totalling up to 93 million euros.

Starting from July 2026, 20 kindergartens in Saxony will receive funding to hire an additional specialist. These facilities have been selected due to their high capacity and challenging needs, as part of the program expansion. The exact names or locations of these kindergartens have not been specified publicly yet.

The decision to expand the program was made due to the value of the additional specialists in daily kindergarten life. The specialists hired will work alongside children, offering support and guidance, and will also provide assistance to the families of the children.

The program will commence in July 2026 and will benefit all 270 kindergartens in Saxony, as 270 of them already receive funding for an additional specialist. Approximately 39 million euros of the funding comes from state funds, with the remaining amount sourced from the European Union.

The "KINDER STÄRKEN 2.0" program is an expansion of an existing one, aimed at strengthening the support system for children in need. The program is expected to make a significant difference in the lives of many children and their families across Saxony.

The funding will be allocated to these 20 kindergarten facilities, allowing them to hire a specialist to support children in challenging situations. This expansion is a testament to the commitment of the Saxon government and the European Union to the wellbeing of children and families in the region.

While the city of Dresden, where the Ministry of Culture is located, is implied to be involved due to the mention of the Minister being from the CDU, a political party dominant in Dresden, the expansion of the program is expected to have a positive impact on kindergartens across the entire region of Saxony.