All-day care in Bavaria: Millions of children demand more places!

All-day care in Bavaria: Millions of children demand more places!

The elementary school in Berg am Laim is busy today at 3 p.m. Over 450 of the 600 children are busy here and enjoy a wide range of afternoon activities. What is particularly striking is that an impressive 90 percent of first graders take advantage of afternoon care. Headmaster Michael Hoderlein is pleased about the increasing interest in the all-day concept, which has become increasingly established in recent years. Loud BR Around 60 percent of primary school children in Bavaria now use afternoon care, with the trend having been steadily increasing since 2011, with one small exception in the 2020-2021 school years.

Over 1.8 million primary school students in Germany are already part of an afternoon program, which accounts for over 50 percent of the students. From the 2026/2027 school year, all parents will have a legal right to full-day places at primary schools in Germany, which will be introduced gradually. This initially applies to first graders and will be expanded to all primary school students by 2030.

A new chapter in the care landscape

The Bavarian Ministry of Social Affairs has announced that the legal right to full-day care will be covered by a wide variety of offers. This ranges from classic lessons to innovative care models. The change from privately organized lunchtime care to more offers that are carried out directly by teachers or kindergarten teachers is an important trend. However, this change is accompanied by challenges such as a lack of staff and inadequate space. Simone Fleischmann, chairwoman of the Bavarian Teachers' Association, expresses concerns about compromises in educational quality.

According to a Prognos study from 2023, 67 percent of families in Bavaria already want a full-day place for their children. Experts expect that demand could even rise to as much as 80 percent if the legal requirement comes into force. These developments aim to close an important care gap that many families experience after leaving daycare.

The importance of rhythmization

A central aspect of quality in all-day operations is the rhythm of the offerings. This includes alternating between phases of concentration and relaxation as well as periods of exercise and rest. Teachers and educators often work in teams to meet the individual needs of the children. An approach that can be implemented particularly well in tied all-day schools, such as an analysis of the German school portal shows.

In addition, the Federal Council is expected to invest up to 3.5 billion euros in expanding all-day care to improve opportunities for children. This also includes considerations about the compatibility of work and family. From 2026, care of up to eight hours should be possible on all working days, which also takes holiday periods into account.

Overall, the signs are good that all-day care in Bavaria will continue to develop and thus meet the needs of many families. The challenges should not be underestimated, but with good will and a targeted strategy, the educational landscape in Bavaria could be significantly improved in the coming years.