The early childhood education sector in Andalucía has expressed deep concern to the Junta de Andalucía, stating that current funding is insufficient to maintain the centers' operations. Despite the Administration's push for free services for families, the amount received per place has not been updated for six years. During this period, operational expenses, including salaries, social security contributions, electricity, rent, suppliers, insurance, food, and materials, have significantly increased.
Currently, the public price per socio-educational care place is 240.53 euros per month, a figure that professionals consider well below the actual operating cost. The controversy is not about the free nature of the first cycle of Early Childhood Education, but rather who bears the true cost of this measure. Directors and owners of the centers, mostly small businesses led by women, have been covering the difference with personal savings, policies, and debt, jeopardizing the continuity of an essential service for family reconciliation in the region.
“"The situation is suffocating. All expenses have been updated: personnel, social security, suppliers, supplies, everything. Except our income. This has made the situation unsustainable."
The extension of free services for one-year-olds starting next academic year, announced by the Junta, is seen as a positive step for reconciliation and access to early childhood education. However, the sector insists that this measure does not address the fundamental funding problem. They warn that, if corrective actions are not taken, over 15,000 jobs could be at risk, and many centers would face serious difficulties in continuing operations.
Josefina Latorre has warned of a "string of closures" and "many transfers" in recent years. Following the announcement of the extension of free services without a price increase for centers on March 19, at least ten nurseries in Seville capital have stated they will not be able to continue in September. In addition to economic pressure, declining birth rates are causing vacancies in some classrooms, exacerbating the centers' already tight financial situations.
The Junta de Andalucía, for its part, argues that free services not only benefit families but also strengthen the stability of the network of centers. The Ministry of Educational Development states that the 2024 agreement with the Early Childhood Table aimed to move towards free services within six years to boost enrollment. Advancing this measure for 1 and 2-year-olds will allow 93% of enrolled students to receive free education next academic year, with an investment exceeding 300 million euros.
The Ministry also points out that increased enrollment benefits nurseries by boosting occupancy and ensuring greater income stability. Despite a 36% drop in the 0 to 3-year-old population over the last decade, the enrollment rate has risen from 38% in 2016 to 58% currently, and the network will grow to 2,230 centers next academic year. Furthermore, it is noted that in 2024, the price of school meals was agreed to increase, and in 2023, payment for management expenses of affiliated early childhood centers was expanded with a 12 million euro investment.
