The fees for nurseries in Koszalin are expected to emergence to PLN 1750 – this is simply a decision that has sparked considerable controversy. Despite the introduction of fresh state subsidies, parents will inactive gotta bear higher costs for urban childcare facilities. The decision was taken by the Koszalin City Council, but not all councillors agree. We remind you that even a fewer months ago, local governments were eager to pay for their budgets to nurseries and kindergartens for accepting Ukrainian children. Now that a budget gap has emerged due to the unwarranted generosity towards Ukrainians, the city wants to patch the budget gap with another racket drawn from society.
New resolution of Koszalin City Council
On 19 August 2024, the Koszalin City Council passed a resolution that changes the amount of fees for the stay of a kid in a nursery run by the Municipality of Koszalin. According to the fresh law, from 1 October 2024 parents will gotta pay PLN 1750 for 10-hour care daily. The erstwhile fee was PLN 580, which means a crucial increase for families. The resolution was adopted by 13 votes in favour with six votes against.
During the session, Alderman Błażej Papiernik from the 3rd Road Club expressed his outrage, stating: “I think that the government wants to save itself at the expense of its parents in the city register, and it is in my opinion that it is very unfair.” The councillor besides presented 2 amendments to the draft resolution – 1 concerning the simplification of the fee to PLN 1500 and the another fixing the maximum rate for meals at PLN 15. Unfortunately, these amendments were not accepted.
The draft resolution was proposed by president Tomasz Sobieraj, who has a majority in the City Council, consisting mainly of Councillors of the civilian Coalition. “Our goal, after the gathering and debate, is to guarantee that our children have the best working conditions,” emphasises Agnieszka Polaniecka from the KO club.
Increase in the cost of nursery care
The decision to rise the fees for nursery care is based on a financial analysis of the cost of maintaining urban facilities. In the first half of 2024, the cost of keeping 1 kid in a basketball nursery, without meals, was PLN 2562 per month. The financial plan of Żłobków Miejski for 2024 amounts to PLN 17.9 million. The increase in the fee to PLN 1750 and returns from the Social safety Office of PLN 1500 are expected, according to the authors of the resolution, to make savings in the city budget of about PLN 900 1000 per month. By year, this amount may amount to PLN 9.7 million.
Part of these measures, as indicated in the draft resolution, are intended to strengthen the infrastructure of nursery facilities, including renovations, retrofitting and modernisation of playgrounds. However, for many parents, the possible of higher fees obscures these benefits.
What are the real costs for parents?
From the position of parents, changes in fees mean higher spending. Currently, the cost of surviving in a nursery in Koszalin is PLN 580, which includes PLN 210 per board (10 zł per day for 21 days). A full of PLN 790, of which, after deducting PLN 400 from the state, parents pay PLN 390 per month.
After the fresh resolution has been introduced, the cost of the nursery will increase to PLN 1750 and the food charge may amount to PLN 420 if it is raised to a maximum of PLN 20 per day. Together it gives 1960 PLN. If the parent benefits from the “Actively in a nursery” benefit of PLN 1500, he will gotta pay PLN 460 – it is 70 PLN more than before. Błażej Papiernik notes: "Although the government introduced a benefit of PLN 1500, the parent will pay by PLN 70 more than he had previously paid". In his opinion, the intention of the Active Parent strategy was to relieve the burden on families, alternatively than additional financial burdens.
Active Parent – 3 fresh benefits
Increases in the fees for nurseries are linked to the introduction of the Active Parent Scheme, which includes 3 fresh benefits for parents.
- “Actively at Home” – the provision replacing household Care Capital, amounting to PLN 500 per period for 24 months (i.e. PLN 12 thousand). It serves parents with children aged 12 to 35 months.
- ‘Actively in a nursery’ – a benefit that replaces the current "church" (400 PLN), amounting to PLN 1500 per month. It applies to children attending nurseries until the age of 3, but must not exceed the actual fee for nurseries.
- Active Parents at Work – a benefit for active parents of PLN 1500 per period for 24 months. It benefits parents from children aged 12 to 35 months, provided that their contributions are not lower than the minimum wage.
Applications for fresh benefits can be submitted from 1 October 2024, but the first money will be sent to families in December at the earliest.
Summary
An increase in the fees for nursery in Koszalin is controversial and gives emergence to concerns among parents who gotta bear higher costs. Although the Active Parent programme aims to support families, many parents are afraid that fresh fees and rising costs of surviving can be borne by their home budget. The decision of the Koszalin City Council may become an inflammatory point in the debate on the future of financing kid care in Poland.
More here:
Fixing the budget hole! A dramatic increase in the fees for nursery care in Koszalin
