The Czech government approved the subject matter of a new law concerning a new type of child care, the so-called child group. Child groups should become an alternative to the existing kindergartens and nurseries the capacity of which is insufficient. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs which drafted the proposal was inspired by similar pre-school facilities in Germany and Austria. The Ministry expects higher employment of parents and therefore also more revenue to the state from the groups. The date of entry into force of the law will depend on the further legislative process. Ideally, it could take effect as early as in 2013 according to the Ministry.
Child groups are to be designed for a maximum of 24 children aged from six months to the start of their compulsory schooling. Private companies but also state institutions and individuals who receive authorization from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs might establish a group. To obtain the authorization, they will have to ensure satisfactory facilities and personnel, meet hygiene requirements and insurance. Furthermore, they will have to present a concept of education and care for the children in the group including daily routines and eating.
The approved subject matter allows for tax deductibility of employers' costs and tax reductions for parents. Parents who put their children in child groups and return to work sooner will get a tax credit. Employers would be able to deduct 95,000 Czech crowns for setting up a group and 86,640 Czech crowns a year for its operation from its taxes.
The own child group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has been in a pilot operation for more than a year. "Among our employees, it encountered an unequivocal response, now we are dealing with the possibility of extension, we currently take care of about 20 children. Parents can choose whether they need the service every day or only some days of the week or in a flexibile way - at a time when their child care is not secured," said Jaromir Drabek, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.
Reservations against the child groups have been previously raised by opposition politicians, but also by employers, trade unionists and even the Czech Chamber of Commerce. They criticized a lack of incentives for the establishment of child groups or too lenient conditions to ensure hygiene and personnel. The Ministry strongly disagrees. "The subject matter of the law sets a relatively strict definition of possible staff qualification - from teaching to education in health care and social services. Likewise, we protest against the complaint that our project has resigned to the hygiene conditions, that is clearly a lie," states the Ministry's press release.
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