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Expansion of all-day education has been promoted for years
The city of Darmstadt, a center of science and research, has been consistently promoting the expansion of all-day education and care at primary and special needs schools for years. Since the 2023/2024 , all primary schools and the primary levels of special needs schools have been participating in the Pact for All-Day Schooling. Darmstadt is thus among the first school authorities in Hesse to implement all-day schooling across the board and to have created the necessary conditions early on for the nationwide legal entitlement to it in the coming years.
Developments since the "Pact for the Afternoon"
The path to today's status began in the 2015/2016 , when Darmstadt became a model school provider in the then-existing Pact for the Afternoon . Since then, capacities, quality, and pedagogical structures have been continuously developed.
The expansion is particularly evident in the number of childcare places: Since the 2020/2021 , their number has increased from 2,607 to over 3,900 places – an increase of almost 50 percent .
“We have made all-day schooling a municipal priority,” emphasizes school superintendent Holger Klötzner . “We didn’t just want to create places, but rather provide care that is pedagogically sound. Quantitative expansion and qualitative development must go hand in hand – that has been our guiding principle from the very beginning.”
Quality through skilled professionals and multi-professional teams
Quality development in Darmstadt's all-day programs includes, among other things, high staffing levels , systematic time off for management staff , and the use of multi-professional teams . All providers of all-day programs are recognized youth welfare organizations that, together with the schools, create a diverse network of educational, physical activity, and recreational opportunities.
Reliable daily routines for children and families
The all-day program in Darmstadt goes far beyond mere childcare. It includes a hot, high-quality lunch , life skills-oriented support, individualized assistance, and creative and sporting activities. Structured daily routines ensure a reliable and varied learning experience.
“The science city of Darmstadt will continue down this path in order to offer every child the best possible opportunities and every family a reliable structure,” Klötzner concluded.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/tb/stib)
