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Kita Whirlwind” in Zierzow about to close – parents in turmoil!
The “Whirlwind” daycare center in Zierzow is closing soon, parents are worried. DRK is planning further closures in the Ludwigslust district.
Kita Whirlwind” in Zierzow about to close – parents in turmoil!
The “Whirlwind” daycare center in Zierzow is about to close. The news brought parents into turmoil because for them the closure not only represents a loss of childcare places, but also a devaluation of the valuable community that has grown in the facility. Again Northern Courier reports, the daycare center, which is run by the DRK Ludwigslust district association, will be closed this year. The 26 children who are cared for in the fully booked facility must find a new place by the beginning of September at the latest, just in time for the start of the 2024/2025 school year.
Parents' concerns
The parents are shocked by the decision and see massive problems ahead. Many of them have had their children in daycare for years and have formed strong bonds here. Mayor Berend Baarslag only found out about the closure a week ago and signaled that the municipality would be willing to take over the responsibility itself. But the district rejected this, which further complicated the situation. The municipality has already asked other providers whether they could take over the daycare center.
Although DRK offers alternative places in the nearby towns of Grabow and Balow, these options represent logistical challenges for many families that cannot be easily overcome.
Further closures in the region
The situation in Zierzow is not unique. Like that DRK reports, the provider is also planning to close other daycare centers in the district, including the traditional “Spielhaus” in Boizenburg and the “Storchenkinder” in Strohkirchen and Brahlstorf. These decisions all stem from economic challenges and declining enrollment numbers. Birth rates are declining and many daycare centers are no longer profitable.
The “Spielhaus” daycare center will be closed on August 31, 2025, although it has been an important part of the community for 75 years. Advice and alternative care options are offered to affected families.
The fight for better care options
In a broader context, recent surveys show that many parents nationwide face similar challenges. Around 60 percent of parents reported short-term closures of schools or daycare centers, often due to a lack of staff or illness. The daily news also reports that women in particular suffer from these absences because they often have to fill the gaps in care.
The warnings from experts like Bettina Kohlrausch are unmistakable: They call for a massive expansion of care offerings and an improvement in the quality and reliability of existing facilities. The personnel situation is at rock bottom and urgently needs a solution.
In summary, it can be said that the closure of the “Whirlwind” daycare center in Zierzow and the further closure plans in the district cannot be viewed in isolation. Rather, they are part of a larger problem that affects all parents and must be urgently addressed in order to ensure the compatibility of work and family.