Primary schools in Bestwig: "As a school, you feel in good hands here"
How will the municipality of Bestwig implement the legal entitlement to all-day care for children of primary school age, which is to apply gradually from the 2026/27 school year? At the most recent meeting of the school committee, it became clear that the municipal administration is seeking close dialogue with the local primary schools and parents - and that the municipal schools are already well prepared.
Background: In 2021, the then federal government enshrined a legal entitlement to childcare in the law on the promotion of children of primary school age. From the 2026/27 school year, it will initially apply to all children in the first year of primary school - in subsequent school years, one year will be added each year.
The municipality of Bestwig therefore commissioned a specialist office to develop a pedagogical concept and space requirements planning for all-day childcare at the three primary schools in the municipality. An expert visited each primary school site for one day and held discussions with the school management, teaching staff, parents and the local childcare centres. During these discussions, it emerged that parents at the primary schools in Nuttlar and Ramsbeck do not currently want an open all-day school (OGS). Rather, the existing childcare options - "School from eight to one" and "13plus" - are sufficient - "these forms of childcare offer more flexibility than OGS," says Roland Burmann, General Representative of the Mayor.
However, if there is actually a full occupancy in all-day care, the primary school in Ramsbeck will require around 100 square metres of additional space - this is also a result of the analysis. If the parents of the pupils in Ramsbeck demand a "13plus" in addition to the "school from eight to one" form of care, space would have to be created for a kitchen with a food counter - just like for an OGS. This could possibly be realised via an extension. No structural extensions would be necessary at the other two primary schools. In order to cover the additional space requirements in Ramsbeck, corresponding funds could be made available in the 2026 budget, explained Roland Burmann: "The process continues."
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia also provides funding for investments in the expansion of all-day care - up to 85 per cent of eligible costs can be covered in this way. The municipality of Bestwig would then have around 383,000 euros at its disposal, including its own contribution. A corresponding funding application was already submitted last year.
In terms of the number of pupils, the existence of the three municipal primary schools is also secured until at least 2030. This is the result of school development planning, which is based on birth rates in particular. According to the plan, the Andreas-Schule Velmede can continue to have two classes, while the municipal administration assumes that the primary school at Sengenberg in Nuttlar will have one class in the long term. The Wilhelmine-Lübke primary school in Ramsbeck fluctuates between having one or two pupils - in the long term, however, it is more likely to have one pupil.
The schools themselves focus on strengthening social interaction in their educational work. For example, there was a circus project in Ramsbeck, as headmistress Anne Rath reported. Andreas-Schule Velmede has adopted new school rules with "eight very simple rules", according to head teacher Matthias Risse: "If you stick to them, you'll get through school life well." And Eva-Maria Schlotmann-Griffin, head of the primary school at Sengenberg, thanked the municipality of Bestwig as the school authority for its excellent cooperation: both the school facilities and the dialogue with the municipal administration are very good: "As a school, you feel that you are in good hands here - we always find a sympathetic ear."