German government plan for the legal right to all-day school care (Ganztagsbetreuung) from 2026

The German federal government plans to implement a comprehensive scheme to provide a legal right to all-day school-based care (Ganztagsbetreuung) for children in primary school, starting in August 2026. This initiative aims to improve the work–family balance and to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their social or economic background.

Implementation timeline

• August 2026: The legal entitlement applies to children in grade 1.

• August 2027: Extension to grade 2 pupils.

• August 2028: Extension to grade 3 pupils.

• August 2029: Extension to grade 4 pupils – meaning that all primary school children will then have a legal right to all-day care.

This right is laid down in the Eighth Book of the Social Code (SGB VIII) and includes care for eight hours per day, five working days per week, with lesson time counted within these hours. The entitlement also applies during school holidays, although the federal states may define a maximum closure period of up to four weeks per year.

Forms of school-based care

All-day care can be organised in different ways:

• All-day schools (Ganztagsschulen):
  Teaching and care are combined in an integrated full-day programme.

• After-school centres (Horte):
  These provide care after regular school hours.

• Joint care programmes:
  Cooperative models involving schools and external childcare providers.

Programmes may be designed as:

• “Open” models: participation is voluntary.

• “Bound” or “compulsory” all-day models: participation is mandatory on specified days.

Funding and financial support

To make this project a reality, the federal government has earmarked substantial funds:

• 3.5 billion euros:
  For infrastructure investments in the education sector, such as building and equipping additional facilities.

• 2.49 billion euros:
  To support operational costs between 2026 and 2029.

• 1.3 billion euros per year:
  From 2030 onwards, as a permanent contribution to ongoing operating costs.

These funds are managed through joint funding programmes between the federal government and the Länder (states), with municipalities playing a key role in practical implementation.

Potential challenges

Despite the significant financial support, the plan faces several challenges:

• Shortage of qualified staff:
  Estimates by the Bertelsmann Foundation suggest that Germany will need more than 100,000 additional educational professionals by 2030 to meet the growing demand.

• Regional disparities:
  Some federal states, such as Saxony, already have a relatively well-developed all-day care infrastructure, while others – particularly in western Germany – suffer from shortages of facilities and staff.

• Coordination between stakeholders:
  Successful implementation requires close cooperation between schools, childcare providers and local authorities. (welt.de)

Additional information

• Voluntary nature:
  The right to all-day school care does not mean that participation is compulsory; parents can decide whether or not to make use of the offer.

• Variety of programmes:
  Care programmes differ in the activities they offer, such as homework support, sports, arts and cultural activities.

• Role of municipalities:
  Municipalities bear a large share of responsibility for implementation, including providing facilities and recruiting the necessary staff.

Steps for parents

• Seek local information:
  Parents are advised to contact local schools or education authorities to find out what options are available in their area.

• Register early:
  Given the expected high demand, it is advisable to register for all-day care as early as possible.

• Get involved:
  Parents can participate in parent councils or school committees to help shape and improve the quality of all-day care programmes.

The editorial and writing team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Therefore, the information contained in this article should be regarded as an initial reference only; for binding and up-to-date information, please always consult the relevant authorities and institutions.