Child day centres in Lithuania face funding shortages, staff departures
A new analysis by poverty reduction organisations reveals that 8 out of 10 child day centres in Lithuania are underfunded, forcing some specialists to leave their jobs due to unsustainable working conditions. The findings, reported by LRT, highlight systemic strain rather than isolated institutional struggles.
Organisations are now calling for an additional €1.5 million in state funding to address the shortfall. While the Ministry of Social Security and Labour acknowledges the need for increased support, the final decision rests with the Ministry of Finance.
Child day centres provide essential services, offering children a space to express themselves, build social skills, and receive emotional support. Erika Rusevičiūtė, a worker at the “Parama šeimai” centre, explains that many children come from difficult backgrounds and often face long waiting lists for access. “Almost every time, we have a waiting list. Sometimes it moves faster, sometimes not as fast as we’d like,” she says.
The funding gap limits the ability to expand services, hire additional specialists, or provide necessary resources. Eglė Valatkevičienė of “SOS vaikų kaimai” notes that current budgets cover only basic needs, leaving little room for improvement. “There’s a lack of funds to expand service content and quality, to hire more staff, therapists, or additional tools to meet children’s needs,” she states.
Low wages and high workloads are key factors driving staff departures. In some centres, social pedagogues earn less than €900 net per month, and unpaid overtime—such as service planning or family support work—is common. Agata Subatovič, an analyst with the Poverty Reduction Network, reports that nearly half of the centres have seen staff leave in the past two years due to burnout and excessive workloads.
Child day centres are funded by both municipal and state budgets. Non-governmental organisations estimate that €16 million in state funding is needed annually to ensure full-service provision. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour has requested €15.2 million for 2027, up from €9.5 million in 2026, but the final allocation remains uncertain due to economic and geopolitical considerations.
Some municipalities, such as Elektrėnai, Klaipėda, Panevėžys, and Marijampolė, have already recognised the funding gap and allocated additional resources. However, about one-third of municipalities still provide only the minimum state-mandated funding—currently €66 per month for a child without significant difficulties.