Since 1 August 2026, children in the first year of primary school in Germany have for the first time had a statutory right to all-day care. In the following years, this right will gradually be extended to further year groups. From August 2029, it will apply to all primary school pupils from Years 1 to 4.
All-day care also during school holidays
The entitlement generally covers eight hours of care per day on five working days a week. School lesson time is included in these eight hours. The entitlement also applies during school holidays. However, the federal states may set closure periods of up to four weeks per year during which no care is provided. Use of all-day care remains voluntary: parents are not required to register their child for it.
The aim is to close the childcare gap that many families face when their child moves from daycare to school.
Fees for care during term time and holidays
Tübingen has also prepared for the introduction of this statutory entitlement and reorganised its school-age childcare system. In December 2025, tuenews INTERNATIONAL reported on the planned changes and the fees for childcare during the school year and school holidays:
https://tuenews.de/tuebingen-will-kuenftig-geld-fuer-schulbetreuung/
Source and further information:
https://www.bmbfsfj.bund.de/bmbfsfj/aktuelles/alle-meldungen/rechtsanspruch-auf-ganztagsbetreuung-ab-2026-beschlossen-178826
https://www.landespolitik-bw.de/schule-bildung/ganztagsschule-in-baden-wuerttemberg
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