The last year of kindergarten is free of charge from 1 April
From 1 April 2019, the City of Chemnitz will waive parental contributions for the last year of kindergarten as a voluntary service. This was decided by the city council at its meeting on 19 December 2018 and the necessary funds were made available in the city's budget.
The city is thus relieving the financial burden on families whose children attend a daycare centre in Chemnitz before starting school. It does not matter whether the parents live in Chemnitz or outside the city. Municipal funding gives children equal opportunities for appropriate support and preparation for school.
As things stand at present, this applies to 2210 children this year.
Another positive aspect is that there is no need for parents or guardians to take any action. Without having to submit an application, the relief for the families concerned is assured.
Parents or legal guardians whose children attend a municipal facility will receive a notification from the Office for Youth and Family of the City of Chemnitz by 15 April 2019.
Parents or legal guardians whose children are cared for in an independently organised facility will be informed by the respective provider.
If a child is deferred from school attendance (§ 27 Para. 3 of the Education Act), the exemption from contributions for parents remains in place.
The City of Chemnitz is authorised by the Saxon State Parliament with the resolution of the Budget Accompanying Act for the years 2019 and 2020, according to which the amendment to the Act on Child Daycare Facilities (SächsKitaG) is laid down in Article 22.
As the amendment to the SächsKitaG does not come into force until 1 June 2019, the City of Chemnitz is regulating the early waiver of parental contributions by means of a guideline for the transitional period until 31 May. At the same time, the statutes of the City of Chemnitz on the collection of parental contributions for the promotion of children in daycare centres, early intervention facilities, after-school care facilities for children from special schools and day care (statutes for daycare centres and day care) will be amended.