Daycare centers | “The error lies in the system”

From January 2027, children with mental illnesses will be cared for in standard groups instead of educational assistants. Photo: dpa/Christian Charisius A child in a daycare center in Bremen becomes violent towards other children. A carer intervenes, the child lashes out and the carer is also kicked in the shin. Finally, she holds the child and “mirrors his behavior to a certain extent.”

Stefanie Lehmann quickly has the story ready; after all, as she tells it, it only happened “recently.” Lehmann has worked in daycare centers for 25 years since 1991. The colleague in question, Lehmann does not give her name, has similar professional experience to her. She was said to have a good connection, especially with those children who need special support. “With the constant stress, when colleagues are absent or sick, people sometimes overreact,” says Lehmann. »The error lies in the system. In such situations, colleagues need support and the opportunity to reflect.«

After all these years in the daycare centers, Lehmann is now on the staff council. Poverty, refugee experience, children with various diagnoses: the spectrum of challenges in care is large. »This requires special expertise. Unfortunately, the level of qualifications in daycare centers has declined due to the shortage of skilled workers," she estimates. In Bremen there are an average of 20 children in a daycare group. These sizes are not reduced if there are more children in need of support. "That's too much for everyone."

This could come to a head as a result of the reform of child and youth welfare that has already been approved by the cabinet. It is planned that from January 2027 children with mental disabilities will no longer receive their own educational assistance and will instead be cared for in standard groups. This affects children with complex impairments as a result of mental illnesses such as social phobia, depression, somatic disorders or schizophrenia. “This can work for some, but many children definitely need more,” says Lehmann. "The absolute priority of infrastructure over individual help will be difficult for many."

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