The Teisendorf municipal council in Germany voted to significantly raise childcare fees starting September 2025. This decision follows a contentious debate, with some council members opposing the increase due to its impact on families.
The mayor, Thomas Gasser, justified the fee hike by citing a growing annual deficit in childcare facilities, reaching €750,000 in the previous year and projected to rise to €1.2 million without the increase.
The new fees, developed in collaboration with the Catholic Kitaverbund Teisendorf-Laufen's administrative director, Christian Resch, vary based on daily attendance hours and age group (crib or kindergarten).
A monthly €6 play money fee is also added. A sibling discount is maintained, halving the fee for the second child and exempting subsequent children.
Council member Fritz Gasser opposed the increase, deeming it excessive and criticizing the timing given the planned restructuring of state subsidies in 2025/2026. Other council members expressed similar concerns, advocating for a smaller increase or delaying the decision until clarity on future funding is established.
Despite the opposition, the council highlighted the rising personnel and energy costs and emphasized that Teisendorf's fees remain comparatively low in the region. The final vote saw 12 council members supporting the fee increase with the maintained sibling discount, while 8 voted against.