Germany ends 100‑Euro kindergarten subsidy and launches Klasse 0 pre‑school funding program

The Bavarian state has scrapped the 100‑Euro per child per month subsidy that previously went directly to parents for the entire period of kindergarten attendance. The change follows the reform of the Bavarian Child Education and Care Act (BayKiBiG), which shifts funding responsibilities back to municipalities. Kaufbeuren’s city administration announced it cannot absorb the subsidy due to a strained municipal budget and incompatibility with state stabilization aid rules.

At the same time, a nationwide "Klasse 0" initiative is being rolled out in about 150 primary schools. Private sponsors provide roughly €8,000 per school each year for specialist staff and teaching materials aimed at children transitioning from kindergarten to first grade, especially those showing early‑learning deficits. The program, backed by a drugstore chain, focuses on language, motor and social‑skill development to improve school readiness.