Catherwood LibraryILR School

In a country where child care is practically nonexistent in government policies, where mothers are encouraged to choose between child rearing and work outside the home, many German women have opted out of motherhood. The result has been an alarmingly low German birthrate that has closed schools and is jeopardizing the country's social welfare system. One community is succeeding in increasing its population due in large part to its children friendly work policies. Laer, Germany offers day care organized by parents, all day kindergartens, primary schools that are open until 4:30pm as well as an attitude that enables parents to work and raise a family. Now other communities are turning away from tradition and following Laer's lead.