Kita finances in Fulda: City and Church reconcile new cost structures!

Kita finances in Fulda: City and Church reconcile new cost structures!

The city of Fulda and the diocese of Fulda continue their cooperation in the field of daycare centers (daycare centers). A new agreement regulates the operating costs for nine Catholic daycare centers in the Fulda city area. This agreement has recently been reached and provides that the Catholic Church participates in the current operating costs with 10 percent that are not covered by parental contributions or national subsidies. The city of Fulda takes over the remaining 90 percent of the costs. Mayor Dag Wehner expressed his thanks to the Catholic Church for the many years of support.

The diocese of Fulda, which runs over 100 daycare centers, represents the interests of the Catholic parishes and daycare agencies on this matter. The new regulation could represent a reaction to the changes in the financing landscape, since the Catholic Church demands more financial participation in kindergartens from the municipalities. In this context, the church's financing share could drop from around 14 to 7 percent. The average costs per kindergarten place amounted to around 1,100 euros per month in 2023.

financing structure of daycare centers

The financing of daycare centers takes place through various places. The state of Hesse supports around 392 euros per place, while the Fulda district contributes around 170 euros. Parents pay an average of around 65 euros per place. Despite these grants, there is a deficit of 473 euros per place and month, which is borne by the parish. Interestingly, the political municipality takes over 84 percent of the deficit, with the own contribution of the parish of St. Lioba around 76 euros per child and month.

Background for the demand of the diocese for higher financing are falling church tax revenue and a household consolidation concept that has been in force since 2021. In addition, new legal regulations put a strain on the coffers of the Catholic institutions, while the personnel and energy costs are also steadily increasing.

influence of the communities and perspectives

Stadt Fulda expects additional costs of around 180,000 euros for 2026. It turns out that the political communities have little influence on church daycare centers. Pastors have sovereignty, which makes it difficult for the communities to intervene in the decisions of the institutions. The reactions to the announcements of the diocese are heterogeneous. Heiko Stolz from the CDU, the chairman of the mayor's district assembly, said that the debate about the financing and support of daycare centers in the region plays an important role.

This is how the Evangelical daycare centers in the region can benefit from the increased financing by the municipalities. The Evangelical Church Circle of Fulda has 13 daycare centers that work together as part of a special -purpose association. While the city of Fulda pays 75 percent of the costs for the Protestant daycare centers, the shares in other municipalities vary and sometimes exceed 90 percent.