As of June 2026, a total of 2,724 children are being cared for in extracurricular care programs at 33 school locations, including special needs elementary schools. The funding from the Oberbergischer Kreis covers 110 groups as well as nine small groups. In addition, according to the guidelines, school authorities across the district receive funding for 34 OGS (Open All-Day School) management positions and 68 group leader positions. In total, the district provides funding of approximately 2 million euros for the OGS system.
“With the cooperation agreement, we reaffirm our shared commitment to providing children and families with a reliable and high-quality care offering at all elementary school locations in the future,” emphasized Klaus Grootens, adding that the past years have shown that close coordination and trustworthy collaboration can achieve a great deal.
A particular challenge lies in coordinating the different tasks and responsibilities of school authorities and youth welfare services. While school authorities are responsible for applying for state funding and investment funds for expanding the care infrastructure, the district youth welfare office has the duty to ensure an adequate supply of services.
“The agreement now concluded creates clear structures for this purpose and strengthens joint planning security for reliable all-day care. This allows us to fulfill the responsible task of providing children – regardless of their social background – with a modern learning and living environment with appropriate educational offerings, thereby enabling participation. In cooperation with the Oberbergischer Kreis, we strengthen the compatibility of family and work – especially for mothers – and work together for reliable, child-friendly all-day education and care,” said the spokesperson for the mayors in the Oberbergischer Kreis, Mathias Thul (Mayor of the City of Bergneustadt).
In close collaboration with the lower school supervisory authority, the advisor for all-day schooling, individual school principals, municipal school administrations, and the independent youth welfare agencies along with OGS managers, the development of Open All-Day Schools in the Oberbergischer Kreis has been continuously advanced in recent years.
“The Open All-Day School is now an indispensable part of our educational landscape,” explained the district administrator. “At the same time, the OGS is an important component of our prevention chain and significantly contributes to promoting equal opportunities.”
As part of a continuous education and care chain, the OGS seamlessly connects to early childhood support in family daycare and daycare centers. It provides children with a reliable framework for learning, development, and community and meets the growing demands for inclusion and individual support.
Looking ahead to the upcoming legal entitlement to all-day care, the participating municipalities and the district youth welfare office consider themselves well-prepared overall. Although further expansion measures are necessary at some school locations, important prerequisites have been created in recent years to meet future demands.
