Oldenburg's Childcare in April 2026: Transitions, Expansion, and Future Perspectives

Unified Transition Form: From Daycare to Primary School

In April 2026, Oldenburg decided to introduce a unified transition form from daycare to primary school, to be implemented starting with the kindergarten year 2026/2027. The transition form is a tool designed to support and structure the transition between childcare facilities and primary schools in a targeted manner. It is part of the developmental assessment and is used in collaboration between the daycare center, parents, and the primary school.

The introduction is accompanied by an implementation concept that includes clear regulations regarding parent information, data protection, access permissions, storage, retention, deletion of data, and an evaluation after one year. The goal is to enable a qualitative validation of the implementation, ensure transparency, and comply with data protection regulations.

The working group that decided on the implementation consists of childcare professionals, expert advisors, the youth medical service, and youth welfare planning. The transition form is already established in preventive health checks such as U7 and U8 and will now be systematically integrated into the transition from daycare to school.

Expansion of Childcare: Integration Groups and Nursery Groups

Another focus of the April sessions was the expansion of childcare in Oldenburg. One nursery group at the KiB Children's Nursery Falklandstraße will be converted into a kindergarten group as of August 1, 2026. At the same time, an integration group will be created to support children with increased support needs. These measures are part of the fifth revision of the childcare expansion concept and aim to ensure the legal entitlement to a childcare place from the age of three and to provide childcare for children with disabilities.

The operational costs for the integration group amount to approximately 85,800 euros per year, drawn from the budget of the Department for Youth and Family Affairs. No structural adaptations are necessary; however, the outdoor play area will be adjusted according to demand. The Youth Welfare Committee has approved the measures plan, which will be implemented by the administration.

Revision of the Children and Youth Support Plan: Future Perspectives

In April 2026, the city of Oldenburg adopted the second revision of its Children and Youth Support Plan. The administration is tasked with preparing a further revision by January 1, 2031. The support plan serves as a strategic orientation for children and youth work in accordance with § 11 of the Eighth Book of the Social Code (SGB VIII) and is revised in collaboration with the professional field, staff, and participants.

The fields of action of the plan include education, participation, diversity, social engagement, political education, inclusion, well-being, nature and climate, and media and quality development. The goal is to strengthen children and young people in their development and to support them on the path to self-determination, health, and social activity. Open children and youth work is highlighted as a low-threshold educational and experience space, and third-party funding is promoted to secure operational and personnel resources.

Preventive Offers: Support for Parents with Mental Health Issues

Another highlight of the April sessions was the presentation of the "Kids Time" offer, a low-threshold multi-family support program for parents with mental health issues and their children. The goal is to reduce isolation, promote solidarity, and strengthen the inclusion of children growing up with mentally ill parents. Approximately 30 percent of these children develop mental health issues themselves, which is why small interventions like "Kids Time" play an important role. The offer is supplemented by the mentoring model "FreiRaumZeit," which contributes to prevention and relief.

Outlook

April 2026 marks a significant milestone in the development of childcare in Oldenburg. With the introduction of the unified transition form, the conversion of nursery groups into kindergarten groups, the creation of integration groups, and the revision of the Children and Youth Support Plan, the city demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive, high-quality, and future-oriented childcare. In doing so, the city not only ensures legal certainty but also promotes social and educational innovation – a clear signal for modern, child-centered urban development.