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Support services
After-school care from grade 5
Childcare services from the 5th grade
When your child moves on to secondary school, you may once again be faced with the question of childcare options outside of school hours. Many parents continue to want childcare for their child, at least for the first year or two, to make it easier to balance work and family life.
What childcare options are available at the secondary school?
By now, your child is at least 10 years old and you would like after-school care? Presumably, your child's need for care will slowly decrease as he or she gets older and more independent. Until that time comes, however, you have a variety of options for care:
In a bound all-day school, all students of the school participate collectively in the all-day offerings. Participation is mandatory. The children receive a warm midday meal, can do their homework and take part in AGs, remedial courses or other teaching offers. The forms of all-day school vary greatly depending on the focus. You can find out how the all-day school is structured via the school's profile.
In an open all-day school, some of the students regularly participate in extracurricular all-day programs. For all students who have registered, participation on several days is mandatory (usually for at least one school semester). The school's profile will tell you which individual support options as well as play, sports and creative activities are available as part of the after-school program.
Many schools at secondary level 1 now offer afternoon exercise, games and sports programs on their own responsibility. These may also include a midday meal and homework supervision. Participation in extracurricular activities and events is voluntary. Ask directly at the school what options are available for your child.
In larger cities and communities, institutions of open youth work often also offer afternoon care and homework help. The children are looked after there by social workers and volunteers. These services are usually free of charge. For a hot lunch, if it is offered, a small contribution must be paid.
What are the benefits of full-day and extracurricular offerings?
Your child can attend targeted additional remedial courses.
Your child has the opportunity to develop his or her individual strengths and potential outside of the "traditional" classroom.
Homework is done when the child comes home.
The completion of homework is usually supervised by educational staff.
Your child can spend time with peers.
The offers ensure that your child spends his free time meaningfully.
The reliable care facilitates the compatibility of work and family for parents.
More informationLinks for further reading
On the Internet portal of the Ministry of Schools and Education of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, you will find, among other things, information about the all-day and childcare services offered by schools in NRW.
