Plettenberg and Selm cut daycare funding amid budget pressures

The city of Plettenberg will stop applying for state subsidies that support flexible kindergarten opening times after 2026, ending a €126,000 grant and leaving the municipality to cover its own share. The decision, made by the youth welfare committee, will likely increase the number of days local day‑care centres are closed.

In Selm, the municipal administration has proposed changes to the parent‑fee schedule for its open‑all‑day school program. Starting in August 2026, a legal right to full‑day care will be introduced, expanding to all primary grades by 2029. To fund the additional staffing and meals, a weekly fee of €75 for vacation care will be levied, with contributions scaled to household income.