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Tallinn to Pay Parents €250 Monthly for Home-Based Childcare
The city of Tallinn is introducing a new €250 monthly allowance for children under three raised at home, a move officials state is designed to give parents greater flexibility and financial support when a convenient kindergarten spot is unavailable.
- —Tallinn is planning to introduce a new monthly allowance of 250 euros for children up to three years old who are being raised at home.
- —The initiative aims to provide greater flexibility for parents and acknowledge the value of home-based childcare, particularly for families unable to secure a kindergarten spot near their residence.
- —The allowance is intended to help parents cover costs associated with alternative childcare arrangements if they choose not to use a kindergarten.
- —This measure is part of a broader effort by Tallinn to become a more family-friendly city, following previous increases in child birth allowances and plans to eliminate kindergarten fees.
Recap
Tallinn's new childcare allowance is a pragmatic solution to an infrastructure problem, effectively subsidizing parents to solve a kindergarten placement shortage the city cannot. By framing the payment as a pro-family choice, the government addresses a service gap, eases pressure on the state system, and bolsters its family-friendly credentials without committing to more costly construction of new facilities.