The city of Salzgitter thus covers the current demand well and meets the requests. Further childcare places are being created in various parts of the city in order to be able to react flexibly. "We place a high priority on the compatibility of work and family life," says Christa Frenzel, Head of Social Affairs and Education.

In recent years, the city of Salzgitter has been very active in expanding childcare options for the different phases of children's lives. This includes the expansion of daycare places as well as courses to qualify childminders. In addition, talks are being held with companies about facilities close to the workplace. "We are focusing on the needs of parents," said the head of department. This could change in the coming weeks and months, which is why the city has to react flexibly. "We want to show all interested parents a perspective and plan dynamically," says the head of department. From 2007 to 2013, the city of Salzgitter has so far invested 8,379,812 euros in the expansion of crèches.

At the present time, those responsible in the city are assuming that demand will increase. "We still have places available in some daycare centers and are currently creating additional childcare options in some parts of the city," announces Christa Frenzel. For example, there are currently 13 places available at the Arche Noah daycare center in Gebhardshagen, where a new group is to be established. There are also vacancies at the daycare centers in Ringelheim and Steterburg. Irrespective of this, the Salzgitter Children and Family Service Office offers parents a wide range of childcare options. "We do everything we can to provide parents with places," says Dr. Roswitha Krum, Head of Children, Youth and Family Services. Additional childcare places are also being created in various parts of the city: By the end of the year/beginning of 2014, there will be 45 crèche places in the new teaching crèche at the vocational school (BBS). There will also be 15 places available at Zwergenkuhle in Thiede from January. In April 2014, there will be places available at the Sandbrink daycare center in Salzgitter Bad; in Hallendorf, a crèche will then be set up in the school in May.

The city of Salzgitter currently meets the federal government's estimated childcare demand rate of 35% with 33.6%. In January, it will be 36.7 percent.