In addition, on Wednesday, November 28, the city parliament sent an even clearer signal in the direction of a child- and family-friendly approach following a joint motion by the SPD and CDU parliamentary groups. Starting with the 2008/09 kindergarten year on August 1, 2008, the first and second kindergarten years will also be made free of charge by the municipality. The structure of contributions for crèche and after-school care places will also be examined by the administration with the aim of reducing contributions, in line with the SPD/CDU motion passed by a large majority.

According to Mayor Stefan Klein for the SPD and CDU parliamentary group leader Rolf Stratmann, both parliamentary groups expect the exemption from contributions to improve the compatibility of family and career and to contribute to equal educational opportunities. As part of a phased plan, the administration will present the financial impact, in particular the loss of contribution income, operating and material costs as well as necessary additional investments. Projections will also be made as to the additional demand for crèche, kindergarten and after-school care places and childminders that can be expected with the exemption from contributions, also taking into account the legal entitlement to crèche places from 2013.

From December 1, 2007, daycare fees for a half-day place, for example, will fall from 102 to 80 euros (minus 21.57 percent) and a full-day place from 175.50 to 160 euros (minus 8.3 percent). A reduction for siblings will be introduced for the first time. Eight months later, full exemption from contributions comes into force.

Mayor Frank Klingebiel: "I am delighted with these council decisions. We have thus taken a significant step towards achieving our goal of making Salzgitter one of the most child- and family-friendly cities in Germany by 2015."