After-School Care in Bobingen: Challenges and Perspectives

After-School Care in Bobingen: Transition into a New Era

The introduction of the legal entitlement to full-day childcare in Bavaria starting with the school year 2026/2027 marks a milestone in childcare policy. For Bobingen, this not only represents a legal obligation but also a strategic challenge: How can existing structures be expanded and optimized to meet the growing demands?

Expansion of Childcare Offers: Where Are We?

Bobingen already has a range of childcare facilities. Currently, there are 280 lunchtime care places, 50 of which fulfill the legal entitlement. The after-school center "St. Christophorus" offers 55 full-day care spaces. At the Singoldhalle, 65 places are planned, 52 of which are already occupied. Additional childcare places are available at the Alte Mädchenschule (100), the Bienenstock (25), and the Ludger-Hölker-Primary School (30).

The use of the Alte Mädchenschule as a childcare facility starting with the school year 2026/2027 is a key step. Additionally, the possibility of using the vacant management apartment at the Singoldhalle for an additional 20–25 places is being evaluated. These developments show that Bobingen is actively working toward implementing the legal entitlement.

Cooperation and Resources: How Can Neighboring Municipalities Help?

A central point in current discussions is the question of how Bobingen can cooperate with neighboring municipalities. Particularly in holiday childcare, it is conceivable to accept children from other cities and towns if capacity is available. At the same time, the city remains responsible for childcare offers at the Oberottmarshausen branch, which has financial and personnel implications.

In addition, it is being examined whether the hours of lunchtime care can be extended from 14:30 to 15 or 16 to meet the demand for longer care. This adjustment would particularly benefit parents with working hours extending into the evening.

Preventive Family Support: An Important Component

In addition to pure childcare, preventive family support plays a crucial role in Bobingen. The Family Office and the Family Support Center – both operated by the Diakonie Augsburg – are key actors here. They offer counseling, family education, and network development, thus contributing to family stability. The 2025 activity report confirms the importance of these institutions for Bobingen's position as a family-friendly place to live and work.

For the future, close cooperation between childcare offers and preventive family support will be necessary. This way, the city can not only guarantee childcare but also strengthen support for parents – a decisive factor for the long-term quality of childcare services.

Outlook: Securing Structures, Planning Capacity

The coming months will show whether Bobingen is able to meet the growing childcare demand. School registrations for the school year 2026/2027 will take place in March 2026, which makes planning decisive at the moment. The use of additional spaces, such as the planned community center in Straßberg, could create further capacity in the future.

It remains to be seen whether the current planning is sufficient to ensure that all children can be cared for by 2029 – the year when all primary school classes will have the legal entitlement to full-day care. This will not only require structural measures but also long-term personnel planning and financial security.