Youth Policy in Lohmar: Expansion of Holiday Recreation and Kindergartens in March 2026

Expansion of Holiday Recreation and Kindergartens: Lohmar is Moving Toward Better Youth Care

March 2026 marks a significant political breakthrough in youth policy in the city of Lohmar. At the meeting of the Youth Welfare Committee on March 11, topics such as the expansion of holiday recreation (FNE) and the revised regulations for the Youth and Family Office were in the spotlight. At the same time, decisions were made regarding the future of kindergartens and their financing. These measures show that Lohmar is placing the care of children and young people at the center – both in education and in leisure time.

Holiday Recreation: Demand Exceeds Supply – Greens Call for Expansion

Holiday recreation in Lohmar is a popular offer for children from low-income families who need structured leisure activities during the summer holidays. In 2026, the offer was already fully booked in February – a development that the administration had not anticipated. In response, the Green Party faction submitted a motion for capacity expansion to enable more children to gain access.

To implement this motion, various cooperation partners were brought into play: OGATAS, independent providers, associations, the youth center, and honorary staff. These partnerships are intended to gradually increase capacity while at the same time distributing the financial burden on the city. The Youth Welfare Committee discussed the motion on March 11 and thus addressed the question of how to respond to increasing demand in the long term without endangering the quality of the offers.

Revised Regulations: Youth Office is More Involved

Another milestone was the revised regulations for the Youth and Family Office. These were adapted to the current legal requirements of the State Youth Office (LVR). Particularly noteworthy is the renaming of the Youth Office to "Youth and Family Office," signaling a stronger involvement in family-related matters.

The new regulations also provide for representatives from the Youth Office Parent Council to be included as advisory members in the committee. Although representatives from local youth councils and the Jewish religious community were also planned, these are currently missing in Lohmar. The changes aim to make the structure of the Youth Office more transparent and democratic.

Kindergartens in Lohmar: Expansion and Diversity of Providers in Focus

In addition to holiday recreation, kindergartens in Lohmar were also at the center of the discussions. The Youth Welfare Committee finalized the planning for the kindergarten year 2026–2027, with the city of Lohmar increasing its investment in the promotion of kindergarten places. A special role was played by the new kindergarten in Scheiderhöhe.

In an expression of interest procedure, Johanniter Accident Aid e.V. was selected as a potential provider. The facility presented itself to parents and the committee and explained its educational concepts. The goal is to strengthen the diversity of providers and create additional childcare places – especially for children under three (U3 places), which can also be used by children over three (Ü3) in justified cases.

The measure is financially secured, with additional parental contributions and state subsidies planned. The Youth Welfare Committee will discuss the results of the procedure on March 11 and thus significantly influence the future of the kindergarten in Scheiderhöhe.

Outlook: Lohmar as a Model for Sustainable Youth Policy?

The decisions in March 2026 show that Lohmar is consciously committed to sustainable and inclusive youth policy. By expanding holiday recreation, revising the regulations for the Youth Office, and expanding kindergartens, the city will improve childcare and leisure-time offers for children and young people in the long term. Cooperation with independent providers and associations also strengthens social networking.

Critically, however, the participation of children and young people has not taken place in some processes – such as the planning of kindergarten needs. A stronger involvement of the target group could further increase the quality and acceptance of the measures in the future.