Bremen is investing significantly in early childhood education: Around half a billion euros are flowing into daycare centers annually, 100 million euros more than at the beginning of the legislative period in 2023. The focus is on quality: Language support for preschool children is to become mandatory with a planned amendment to the law.
To enable more targeted assessment and support of language development, a new tool for language proficiency testing will be introduced for the new kindergarten year. At the same time, kindergartens and primary schools will collaborate more closely from 2026 onwards to facilitate smoother transitions. Senator for Children and Education Mark Rackles emphasizes: “For this kindergarten year alone, we have increased spending on language support to €7.7 million. It is particularly important to me that these programs actually reach the children, because good kindergartens create real opportunities – for every single child. That's why we have significantly simplified the registration process.”
Childcare provision remains at a high level
For the 2026/27 childcare year, Bremen was once again able to fulfill the legal entitlements to childcare places registered by parents. A total of 25,131 places are available – 6,293 in crèches and 18,838 in preschools. Bremen is making it easier for families to find childcare and is thus reaching significantly more children. During the main registration period up to January 31, 2026, 5,642 children were newly registered. By August 1, this number had already risen to 6,811 (3,512 crèche children and 3,299 preschool children). Explanatory videos and simplified, multilingual registration options on the childcare portal contributed to an additional 1,169 families opting for a place after the main registration period.
380 children still without a childcare contract
As of August 14, 2026, 94.4 percent of the 6,811 newly registered children had a childcare contract. Only 1.7 percent of the children were on the central placement portal, meaning they had initially received three rejections from their preferred childcare facilities. Due to the availability of places near their homes, it can be assumed that these children will also be placed soon. Other children are on facility-specific waiting lists or have only recently registered. Overall, the number of children who do not yet have a childcare contract has been drastically reduced compared to previous years: from 1,623 in 2024 to 1,166 in 2025, and now to 380.
The childcare rate has also continued to rise: In 2026, it was 30.4 percent in crèches (previous year: 29 percent), and in preschools, it was 90.8 percent (previous year: 87.5 percent). The increase was particularly significant for 3- to 4-year-olds since 2023 – from 74 to 87 percent.
Language support is strengthened
Bremen is strengthening language support in daycare centers step by step: Starting January 1, 2027, an observation and documentation tool – such as the scientifically evaluated Basik program – will be introduced. This will make children's development visible. Building on this, language support for preschool children will become mandatory for the 2027/28 daycare year with the amendment to the Bremen School Law (BremSchulG), which is already in the legislative process.
The need for language support remains high
Language support is also receiving a significant financial boost. Investments in language support alone are increasing from €2.9 million (2021) to €7.7 million this year. This will ensure that, despite the rising number of children identified as needing language support according to the Primo test, additional language support in small groups can continue to be offered directly in daycare centers. The need for language support remains high: In the 2025/26 daycare year, 3,063 children were identified as needing language support, compared to 3,004 the previous year. At the same time, there are slightly fewer children requiring language support who do not have a daycare place: Their number decreased slightly from 246 the previous year to 226 in 2026.
Daycare centers and primary schools are working more closely together
Starting this kindergarten year, all kindergartens and primary schools are organized into networks for the first time. The 318 kindergartens and 94 primary schools are also strengthening their collaborative work on the 0-10 curriculum. This will ensure more continuous educational processes from early childhood to primary school and better support transitions.
Expansion of daycare facilities with a regional focus
The available places are currently around 93 percent occupied (89 percent for nursery, 94 percent for preschool). While demand is somewhat lower in Hemelingen, Osterholz and Vegesack, places in Oberneuland, Findorff and Schwachhausen are particularly heavily occupied this kindergarten year.
Bremen is strategically managing the expansion of childcare places in cooperation with providers, based on demand and population trends. This approach mitigates regional shortages, ensures access to childcare close to home, and avoids uneconomical overcapacity. Where demand allows, places are reduced – for example, by dismantling temporary structures, restructuring overcrowded locations, or converting existing programs – in consultation with the providers. As a result, the total number of available places has recently increased only slightly.
New buildings and extensions in the 2026/27 kindergarten year
Five facilities have been or are able to be put into operation since the beginning of 2026.
- Draki Kita Am Kaffee-Quartier in Walle, opened on January 1, 2026
- The Steingut Kids children's and family center will open on June 1, 2026
- AWO Kita Upp'n Barg, opened on August 1, 2026
- Children's and Family Center Sankt-Jürgen-Straße in the Eastern Suburb, opened on August 1, 2026
- Children's and Family Center Delmestraße in the Neustadt district, a replacement building, will open on August 1, 2026
In addition, numerous extensions have been built.
Recruiting and retaining skilled workers
Bremen has reached a new record high in the training and qualification of skilled workers. The shortage of qualified professionals, which was clearly noticeable until recently, has almost completely disappeared. In 2026, 462 participants successfully completed their training as state-certified early childhood educators (34.4 percent more than in 2021 and 5.2 percent more than the previous year). This represents a historic high in the number of trainees. From 2020 to 2025, an additional 418 participants were prepared for future group leadership roles through qualification programs.
The number of childcare workers will continue to rise this kindergarten year. Due to the significantly simplified procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications, the SKB (Swiss Association of Childcare Workers) expects around 150 applications for childcare workers and social workers in 2026.
More money for daycare centers and providers
Expenditure on childcare facilities has increased from €329 million to €457 million annually since 2021. Starting in August 2026, providers funded through reference and guideline programs (generally independent and non-profit organizations or parent associations) will receive an additional €1.5 million annually for operating costs. The pay increase for pedagogical staff will result in an additional €800,000 for these guideline-funded facilities alone in 2026. A total of 28 projects in Bremen, with a volume of €4 million, can be funded through federal investment programs in 2026. Furthermore, an internal safeguarding policy can be implemented at ten childcare facility locations in Bremen. With the revision of the childcare investment guidelines, funding will be broadened and the application process simplified. In addition to operational equipment, measures for quality development and digitalization will also be eligible for funding.
Outlook: Strengthening education, parental involvement, quality and media literacy
Even after the start of the new daycare year, Bremen is continuing to develop early childhood education. From 2027, the InRa program will modernize the training of early childhood educators; plans include a larger practical component, BAföG (federal student loan program), and language education and development will become a mandatory module for all trainees, an integral part of their competency acquisition.
Following a collaborative working phase with Bremen's daycare providers in Working Group 78, the Senator for Children and Education has presented a draft quality agreement, which is currently undergoing final review. The aim is to further develop the quality of care, make the best possible use of learning time, and reliably reduce staffing shortages. Cooperation with parents will also be made more binding. A draft agreement for this is also being finalized. Furthermore, Bremen will introduce children to the safe use of digital media at an early age and in an age-appropriate manner. An initial framework has been developed and is now being expanded to include the school setting, in accordance with the Education Plan for children aged 0-10.
Source: Half a billion euros for daycare centers – Senate Press Office, September 3, 2026
