BOLZANO. Births are also decreasing in South Tyrol - 4,671 children were born in 2023, 241 less than in 2022; in 2021 there were 5,173 – but not the request for early childhood services. An indispensable condition to allow both parents to work and avoid that, as happens today, around 1,000-1,200 mothers resign in the first year of their child’s life.
In the capital there are 2,432 children aged 0 to 3 years and more and more parents are asking for greater availability of nursery schools. The reason is that, seen from the angle of its population from zero to three years old, the city is undergoing a social and anthropological revolution: women work almost like men and the latter, just look at the shifts in factories and offices, live increasingly longer days.
Hence the decision that will further extend the nursery hours. Juri Andriollo confirms this: «Keeping the facilities open until 5/6pm is no longer enough. The support offered to families must also be extended into the evening hours.” The municipality’s social councilor then goes into detail: «New buildings are expensive, so the program to extend the opening hours will involve an increase in staff».
The numbers: today Bolzano can count on 10 nurseries, with 470 places available; plus 30 microstructures. In both situations, the ratio between operators and children is 5 to 1. One of the highest. However, it is not enough to keep up with the pace of changes taking place in society. It must also be said that in a few months a further microstructure will open in the neighborhoods, specifically in the industrial area, where this acceleration in the flexibility of working hours that keeps parents busy beyond the hours traditionally dedicated to returning home is more evident.
And the new staff? «We will do our best to look for him. Already now – adds Andriollo – we have a good relationship between permanent and fixed-term contracts, with also the exceptional use of staff without a licence”. This is to address an emergency that is already underway. «Mothers work and must be able to count on greater public support. Which – comments Elena Vecchietti, director of the Assb children’s services office – cannot deny it just for timetable reasons”.
Then there is the question of demographic decline itself. “By decreasing birth rates – they say in the Assb and in the Municipality – family support and policies to support births must be intensified”. Very tough commitment. But the nursery, here’s the thing, is one of the most solid tools.
The Assb initiatives
The Assb, the Social Services Company, has implemented a vast awareness program on the ground. Aimed at children but above all at parents: «It is not true that working more and not being able to look after your children means being forced to abandon your job» explains Vecchietti. Hence, the organization of a conference (on the 20th at 4pm at Cristallo) entitled: “Take care of me”, early childhood: the well-being of children, families and workers. And again, on the 18th and until the 22nd at the Fair, a series of meetings between children and families with a focus on Firmian, with particular attention paid to the use of cell phones, health, motherhood and development. The initiative is moving, from Firmian to the Oltrisarco library, to Sandro Amadori, to some nurseries.
Friday 22nd (from 3pm) something new: in the Firmian gym there will be a workshop in the Haydn Foundation to introduce children – and adults too – to classical music. “It helps to overcome barriers and diversity through a common language” explained Assb, Andriollo and Elena Vecchietti yesterday in the Municipality at the presentation of the initiative. P.CA.
– What strategies are being implemented in Bolzano to address the rising demand for nursery services amid declining birth rates?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Elena Vecchietti, Director of the Assb Children’s Services Office
Time.news Editor: Good day, Elena! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the current situation regarding early childhood services in Bolzano. The birth rate has decreased significantly over the past few years, yet the demand for nursery services continues to rise. What do you attribute this growing demand to?
Elena Vecchietti: Thank you for having me! The decline in birth rates is indeed concerning, but it’s important to acknowledge that societal changes are driving an increased demand for early childhood services. More women are joining the workforce, and families now require flexible childcare options to balance work and family life. This shift is crucial for both parents, especially mothers, who are often faced with tough decisions about returning to work.
Time.news Editor: That’s a critical point. You mentioned that many mothers feel compelled to resign within the first year of their child’s life. How can extended nursery hours help mitigate this issue?
Elena Vecchietti: Extending nursery hours is essential to accommodate modern working schedules. As Juri Andriollo mentioned, it’s no longer sufficient for nurseries to operate just until 5 or 6 PM. By extending services into the evening, we provide parents with the support they need while juggling long work hours. This is not only about convenience; it’s about ensuring that parents can maintain their jobs without the worry of inadequate childcare.
Time.news Editor: Bolzano currently has a good operator-to-child ratio in nurseries, but it sounds like the demand still outweighs supply. What are some of the concrete steps being taken to address this challenge?
Elena Vecchietti: Absolutely. While Bolzano has a commendable ratio of 1 operator for every 5 children, the directorate is planning to not only increase nursery hours but also bring in more staff to meet this growing need. This will involve recruiting qualified personnel and considering innovative staffing solutions, which may include hiring externally or even using exceptional staff without licenses temporarily.
Time.news Editor: It seems the department is truly proactive about this. However, there is also the looming issue of demographic decline in the region. What initiatives are being crafted to address this beyond just enhancing nursery services?
Elena Vecchietti: We recognize that decreasing birthrates mean we cannot solely rely on childcare services to support families. It’s imperative to amplify our family support policies. This can include awareness programs to educate parents that they don’t have to sacrifice their careers when they have children. Our aim is to reassure them that robust support systems are in place, and joining the workforce remains a viable option.
Time.news Editor: Those programs sound essential for fostering a supportive environment. Are there any recent initiatives from the Social Services Company that exemplify this approach you just mentioned?
Elena Vecchietti: Yes, we’ve implemented a comprehensive awareness program targeting both parents and children. We want to break the stigma that working parents must choose between their job and childcare. By informing families about available resources and support, we can create a supportive ecosystem for working parents, easing some of the pressure they face.
Time.news Editor: It’s encouraging to hear about these initiatives. As we look forward, what do you envision as the most significant change needed in the community to fully support working families in Bolzano?
Elena Vecchietti: The key change lies in our collective mindset towards parenting and work. We need to cultivate an environment that prioritizes family support, whether through enhanced childcare options, flexible working arrangements, or community engagement. We must recognize that supporting parents is an investment in our society’s future, especially in light of declining birth rates. It requires commitment from local government, employers, and the community.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Elena, for sharing these insights with us today. It’s evident that addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort. We look forward to seeing how Bolzano evolves to support its families in the coming years.
Elena Vecchietti: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to discuss these critical issues with you. Together, we can make a difference for families in our community.