A Plan for the Future of Jena's Kindergartens
Due to a sharp decline in birth rates, the number of childcare slots in Jena significantly exceeds the number of children requiring care. In the 2026/27 Childcare Needs Plan, which was approved this week by the Youth Welfare Committee, the City of Jena has laid out the path it will take to address these serious challenges. In accordance with the City Council’s requirements, this plan also takes medium-term trends into account for the first time.
Following the already low birth rates of the 2022 to 2024 cohorts, the number of births in 2025—at around 650—reached the lowest level since the early 1990s. For the 2026/27 daycare year, the city expects approximately 4,080 children to require a care spot. In contrast, there are about 5,500 spots available in kindergartens and daycare centers.
“In light of the dramatic demographic trends, we agree with parent representatives, kindergarten operators, and the city council that we must continue to take action to ensure that the supply of kindergarten spots in our city remains stable in the long term and meets demand,”
explains Department Head Johannes Schleußner.
“Our focus is on ensuring that children and families can continue to rely on high-quality care close to home. This will continue to be guaranteed.”
Measures in two phases
Due to declining birth rates, the city council had already made medium- and long-term decisions in 2023 and 2025. It was determined that up to 500 childcare spots must be phased out in two phases. In the first phase, specific measures to reduce the number of spots were implemented and will be completed by 2027. By the end of 2030 at the latest, a second phase must eliminate an additional 500 spots.
Support for specific steps
The second phase of reductions is already underway. For example, the “Lichtenhainer Zwerge” kindergarten will be closed by the operator as of August 31 of this year due to very low utilization. Every family has a legal right to a childcare spot, which can still be guaranteed close to home in Jena and also in Lichtenhain.
The first point of contact for questions is the director or the operator of the respective kindergarten. In addition, the City of Jena is available to provide support. Contact information and initial details can be found on the subpages of the Child Day Care Team and Youth Welfare Planning. Parents who, for example, would like assistance in finding a new childcare spot can contact: jub@jena.de
It is important to all involved that childcare facilities continue to be available in all city districts in the future, that a variety of childcare options remain, and that quality is maintained.
About the Childcare Needs Plan
The 2026/27 Childcare Needs Plan summarizes both annual and medium- to long-term planning for the first time. This complies with the City Council’s resolution to analyze and evaluate demographic trends annually. The plan was developed in close consultation with the Daycare Subcommittee. It must be submitted to the State of Thuringia by the end of July.
Websites:
https://familie-jugend-soziales.jena.de/de/jugendhilfeplanung
https://rathaus.jena.de/de/team-kindertagesbetreuung