All-day support law: what parents should know
The new All-Day Support Act (GaFöG) creates a nationwide legal entitlement to quality all-day care in order to provide better support for families with children of primary school age. From the 2026/27 school year, children in the first grade will be entitled to all-day care, which will be gradually extended to all grades 1 to 4 by the 2029/30 school year.
The aim is to close the existing gap between the childcare center and school and provide reliable childcare beyond the morning.
Expert: Melanie Besold, lawyer at pme Familienservice.
What you can expect in this article:
What does the All-Day Support Act mean for families?
With the new law on all-day support for children of primary school age (GaFöG), for the first time there is a nationwide legal entitlement to all-day care during the primary school years. The aim is to provide families with reliable care beyond school mornings - without having to rely on private afternoon activities.
This is intended to close the previous gap between childcare and elementary school: Where childcare center shortages often arose after the childcare center, high-quality all-day care will be available in future.
When does the All-Day Support Act (GaFöG) come into force?
The All-Day Support Act (GaFöG) will gradually come into force from the 2026/2027 school year, starting with year one. It will be introduced in stages so that all primary school children will have a legal entitlement to all-day care by the 2029/2030 school year.
Legal framework of the All-Day Support Act (GaFöG)
The all-day entitlement is enshrined in Section 24 (4) of Book VIII of the German Social Code and represents an important component of family policy support and the expansion of high-quality child daycare - with the aim of increasingly promoting the compatibility of family and career.
- Start: school year 2026/2027 for children in Year 1
- Expansion of all-day care will take place gradually until 2029/2030: one grade level will be added each year.
- Supervision time: Up to 8 hours a day (including class time) and five working days a week
- Vacations: Supervision is generally possible.
- Closing times: maximum four weeks per year
Who is entitled to all-day care?
In principle, every primary school child is entitled to all-day care (see chapter "Legal framework of the All-Day Care Act"). In practice, however, capacity bottlenecks are to be expected.
- Parents should contact their school or local authority in good time to find out about registration and capacities.
- In many regions there are waiting lists, which are often based on urgency (employment, no alternative childcare options, etc.). Those who enquire in good time have the best chance of securing a place.
- Emergency care or temporary solutions may be available if there is currently no capacity.
In the event of capacity bottlenecks, so-called hardship cases are generally taken into account when allocating places, for example if there is no alternative care available for single parents or parents who work both sides of the family. The decision is at the discretion of the respective provider.
What does the new All-Day Support Act cover?
According to the new All-Day Support Act, in addition to core care for children of primary school age, additional services such as
- Homework supervision,
- remedial teaching,
- or leisure activities.
The organization of these additional services is the responsibility of the respective providers, who can implement different models depending on the federal state and local authority.
In some regions, schools work closely with independent child and youth welfare organizations, sports clubs and music schools to provide a wide range of activities. The providers have a certain amount of freedom to respond to local needs and resources.
Is all-day care free of charge?
Although there is a legal entitlement to all-day care, care is not always completely free of charge. The amount of parental contributions depends on the type of school, federal state and sponsorship. Examples:
- Compulsory all-day schools: Care is usually free of charge, apart from extracurricular activities such as vacation care.
- Open all-day schools (OGS): Lessons in the morning are compulsory; additional services such as homework supervision or leisure projects may be subject to a fee.
- Child and youth welfare organizations: Parental contributions for childcare or additional services may be charged for after-school care or similar facilities.
All-day care usually also includes the provision of a healthy lunch according to general standards. This is often charged at a flat rate, which can vary depending on the region and provider.
Stay informed about changes to family-related laws. Read“Parental Leave Reform 2027: What Might Change” now!
Tips for parents on the new regulations for all-day support
All-day care varies greatly depending on the federal state, local authority and school. Parents should therefore check:
- Available places: How many children can be accepted? Are there waiting lists?
- Registration deadlines and procedure: By when do I have to register? Are there digital registration options?
- Transitional solutions: Is emergency or transitional care offered if there is currently no space available?
- Costs and additional services: What offers (lunch, vacation care, AGs) are available and how are they financed?
Ask the school or local authority in good time, submit applications in good time and find out about alternatives. This will give you the best chance of finding a suitable place for your child.
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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the All-Day Support Act
1 What is the All-Day Support Act (GaFöG)?
A law that guarantees primary school children throughout Germany a legal entitlement to all-day childcare in order to improve the compatibility of family and career.
2. when does the entitlement to all-day care apply?
The entitlement will be introduced for first-graders from the 2026/27 school year and gradually extended to all grades 1 to 4 by the 2029/30 school year.
3. who is entitled to all-day care?
Basically all children of primary school age, although regional capacity bottlenecks are possible. Parents should therefore register early.
4. which offers are included in the all-day care?
In addition to childcare, the offer includes homework help, remedial lessons and leisure activities. The specific structure depends on the local authority and providers.
5. is all-day care free of charge?
Childcare is not always completely free of charge. The costs vary depending on the type of school, federal state and facility. Additional services and lunch are often subject to a charge.
6. how can parents register their child?
Parents should contact the school or local authority in good time to find out about requirements, deadlines and waiting lists and submit the application accordingly.
