Magistrate reacts to nationwide legal entitlement to full-day care
Starting August 1, 2026, there will be a nationwide legal right to full-day care for primary school children , initially for first-graders, then gradually for subsequent grades. Against this backdrop, the city council of the science city of Darmstadt adopted a proposal to adapt the after-school care program on Wednesday (3).
Different demand for after-school care places
Currently, 4,713 childcare places are available for elementary school children in Darmstadt – a combination of after-school care places and places in the all-day care pact . With the continuous expansion of all-day programs, demand is changing: after-school care places are being used less in some districts.
Mayor Barbara Akdeniz emphasizes:
"It is our responsibility to examine whether, if demand for after-school care places is too low, these can be converted into childcare for children under three or over three. After-school care centers that are needed will, of course, remain open – a blanket closure is not planned."
Expansion and educational benefits
Holger Klötzner, head of the German Department of Education , emphasizes that, despite the shortage of skilled workers, around 250 additional childcare places were created compared to the previous year. "Over 80 percent of parents now use a childcare place. The upcoming legal entitlement will further increase demand, and we are preparing for this together with the providers."
In addition to organizational aspects, Klötzner also points to the pedagogical advantages: "When lessons and supervision take place at the same location, it strengthens the all-day school as a rhythmic school and brings variety to everyday life."
Strategic management planned
To ensure future provision, the Youth Welfare Office and the School Office plan to regularly record and compare needs in each social area. "This will create a solid basis for decisions on adapting services at each elementary school location," explain Akdeniz and Klötzner.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/DK)
