Germany is about to transform after-school care for primary school children. Starting in the 2026/27 school year, every child entering first grade will have a legal right to all-day care. This means eight hours of supervised care, five days a week, including school holidays. [7] The demand for qualified staff in the OGS (Offene Ganztagsschule), Germany's open all-day school programme, has never been higher.
Free online training is one of the most effective ways to prepare for this challenge. In this article, you will learn why training for OGS staff matters so much right now. You will discover the key topics to focus on. And you will get practical tips for making the most of free online learning.
If you want to get started right away, Diingu offers a free introductory course on the Fundamentals of the Open All-Day School. It is designed especially for newcomers and career changers.
Why Training for OGS Staff Is Urgent Right Now
The Legal Right to All-Day Care Changes Everything
The Ganztagsförderungsgesetz (GaFöG) (the All-Day Care Promotion Act) is the legal foundation for this change. [7] The right to all-day care will be introduced step by step:
- 2026/27: All first graders have the right to all-day care.
- 2027/28: The right extends to second graders.
- 2028/29: Third graders are included.
- 2029/30: All primary school children up to fourth grade are covered.
This is a clear timeline. But the reality on the ground is more complicated.
A Serious Staff Shortage
According to a Forsa survey, one in four primary schools fears it cannot fully meet the new legal requirement. [4] There are not enough rooms and not enough qualified staff. The GEW (Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft), Germany's education and science trade union, warns that the shortage of qualified professionals is one of the biggest obstacles. [2]
In the state of Hesse, experts report that many schools are not ready just six months before the start date. [5] In Bavaria, there are too few places despite the legal mandate. [6]
A Diverse Workforce Needs Targeted Training
The staff in OGS programmes is very diverse. Alongside trained educators and social workers, many career changers (people coming from other professions), university students, and volunteers work in after-school care. A study by the University of Duisburg-Essen emphasises that all staff members need the professional skills to deliver on the legal promise of quality care, regardless of their formal qualifications. [3]
This is exactly where online training comes in. It helps bring all team members to a shared level of professional knowledge.
Key Training Topics for OGS Staff
A new pedagogical curriculum (a structured learning plan) for all-day care staff without formal pedagogical training is being developed. It is expected to be available nationwide from 2026. [1] The following topics are especially important.
1. OGS Fundamentals and Legal Basics
Anyone working in an OGS should understand the structures and processes. Key areas include:
- How the OGS is organised: daily routines, responsibilities, cooperation models
- Your role: What exactly is expected of you as an OGS staff member?
- Legal foundations: the GaFöG, SGB VIII (Social Code Book VIII, which governs child and youth welfare), and duty of supervision
- Collaboration with teachers, parents, and programme providers
Diingu offers two helpful introductory courses here: Fundamentals of the Open All-Day School and Legal Foundations of the OGS.
2. Pedagogical Foundations and Professional Attitude
Even without a formal education degree, you can build essential knowledge:
- Developmental psychology (how children grow and develop at different ages)
- Learning support: helping children learn without doing the work for them
- Professional attitude: working with respect, patience, and self-reflection
- Relationship building: creating trust and a safe environment
The Diingu courses on Pedagogical Foundations and Professional Attitude provide a solid starting point.
3. Inclusion and Working with Disabilities
In OGS programmes, children with and without disabilities learn and play together. Staff need knowledge about:
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a condition affecting concentration and impulse control)
- Autism spectrum conditions (a developmental condition that affects social interaction and communication)
- Dyslexia and dyscalculia (difficulties with reading, writing, or mathematics)
- Individual support and accommodations
Diingu offers specialised courses on these topics, including ADHD and Working with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
4. Child Protection
Everyone who works with children must be able to recognise signs of child endangerment (situations where a child's wellbeing is at risk). Important content includes:
- Recognising signs of neglect, abuse, or maltreatment
- Knowing what to do: Who do I inform? What do I document?
- Legal obligations under SGB VIII
- Working with the youth welfare office (Jugendamt)
This topic is so important that Diingu has a dedicated course: Child Endangerment.
5. Supervising Learning Time
Supervising learning time (the period when children do homework or practise skills in the OGS) is a core responsibility. Key skills include:
- Structuring learning time effectively
- Motivating children and supporting their concentration
- Knowing and applying different learning methods
- Developing a positive error culture (the attitude that mistakes are a natural part of learning)
Relevant Diingu courses include Designing Learning Time, Fostering Motivation, and Promoting Concentration and Attention.
6. Dealing with Challenging Behaviour
Difficult situations are part of everyday life in the OGS. Training in this area covers:
- De-escalation (techniques for calming tense situations)
- Dealing with violence among children
- Resolving conflicts with parents professionally
- Stress management and resilience (the ability to cope with difficult situations) for staff
Learn more in the Diingu courses on De-escalation Techniques and Stress Management and Resilience.
7. Working with Parents
Good cooperation with parents is essential for a successful OGS programme. Important topics include:
- Professional communication: How do I handle difficult conversations?
- Engaging parents as partners
- Managing different expectations
- Intercultural communication
Diingu offers courses on Professional Communication and Checklists for Working with Parents.
8. Diversity, Prevention, and Enrichment Activities
Additional important training topics for OGS staff include:
- Diversity-sensitive practice (a conscious and respectful approach to diversity)
- Health promotion and physical activity
- Language support and media literacy
- Planning holiday care and extracurricular activities
Diingu covers these areas too, with courses such as Diversity-Sensitive Practice in the OGS, Play and Movement Activities, and Language Support.
Benefits of Free Online Training for OGS Staff
Why are free online courses such a good fit for OGS staff? Here are the key advantages:
| Benefit | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| No cost | No financial risk, ideal when budgets are tight |
| Flexible timing | Learn in the evening, on weekends, or during breaks |
| Location-independent | No travel required, accessible in rural areas too |
| Self-paced | Take as much time as you need |
| Immediately available | No waiting for the next course date |
| Wide range of topics | From basics to specialised subjects |
| Low barrier to entry | Simply sign up and start learning |
These benefits are especially valuable for career changers and staff with limited time. OGS staff are often paid below average. Free courses significantly lower the barrier to professional development.
For programme providers (organisations that run OGS programmes), free online training is also attractive. They can train large groups of staff at the same time without high costs for external trainers or venue hire.
Practical Tips: Getting the Most from Free Online Training
Tip 1: Start with the Basics
If you are new to the OGS, begin with a foundational course. This gives you a solid overview of your tasks and responsibilities. The Diingu course on the Fundamentals of the Open All-Day School is a great place to start.
Tip 2: Set Priorities
You do not need to learn everything at once. Think about which topics are most relevant to your daily work right now:
- New to the job? Start with fundamentals and legal basics.
- Children with special needs in your group? Look into courses on ADHD or autism.
- Difficult parent conversations? A course on professional communication helps.
- Feeling stressed at work? Stress management and resilience are important topics.
Tip 3: Learn Regularly in Small Steps
Set aside fixed learning times. Even 15 to 30 minutes per week can make a big difference. Online courses are easy to break into small learning sessions.
Tip 4: Share What You Learn with Colleagues
Learning becomes more valuable when you discuss it with others. Encourage your team to take courses together. This way you can:
- Reflect on content as a group
- Develop practical ideas for implementation
- Keep each other motivated
Tip 5: Keep a Record of Your Training
Document which courses you have completed. This is useful for:
- Job applications: Show that you invest in your professional development.
- Performance reviews: Demonstrate your commitment.
- Personal growth: See how much you have already learned.
Tip 6: Explore a Wide Range of Topics
Do not limit yourself to just one subject area. Work in the OGS is varied. The broader your knowledge, the more confident you will feel in your daily work. Diingu also offers courses on Media Literacy, Holiday Care, and Extracurricular Activities.
Who Are Free OGS Training Courses For?
Free online training for the OGS is designed for a wide range of people:
- Career changers who are new to the OGS and want to build foundational knowledge
- Experienced OGS staff who want to deepen their expertise in specific areas
- Trained educators and social workers who are specialising in all-day care
- University students who work in the OGS alongside their studies
- Volunteers who support children in after-school programmes
- Team leaders and coordinators who want to upskill their teams
- Programme providers who need to ensure a baseline qualification for all staff
In Bavaria, for example, there are certified qualification pathways to become an OGTS coordinator. [8] Online training can be an excellent complement or preparation for such formal qualifications.
Looking Ahead: Qualification Is the Key to Success
The legal right to all-day care is a major opportunity for children and families. For it to succeed, well-qualified staff are essential. The Deutsches Schulportal reports that a new pedagogical curriculum for all-day care staff without formal pedagogical training has been developed. It is expected to be available nationwide from 2026. [1]
Free online training is a crucial building block on this path. It allows people to build knowledge quickly and flexibly. It reaches people in rural areas. And it removes the financial barrier for anyone who wants to learn.
Our advice: Do not wait until the legal right takes effect. Start your professional development now. Every course you complete makes you more confident in your daily work. And the children you support will benefit most of all.
Related Training at Diingu
Diingu offers a comprehensive course series specifically designed for the Open All-Day School (OGS). All onboarding courses are free and ideal for getting started. Here is a selection of the most important courses:
Onboarding Courses (Fundamentals):
- Fundamentals of the Open All-Day School
- Legal Foundations of the OGS
- Pedagogical Foundations
- Professional Attitude
- Child Endangerment
- Diversity-Sensitive Practice in the OGS
Specialised Courses (In-Depth):
- Designing Learning Time
- Fostering Motivation
- De-escalation Techniques
- Professional Communication
- Stress Management and Resilience
- Play and Movement Activities
- Social and Emotional Skills
Browse the full range and find the courses that match your daily work.
Sources and Further Reading
[1] Deutsches Schulportal - Neue pädagogische Qualifizierung für Personal im Ganztag - https://deutsches-schulportal.de/schulkultur/neue-paedagogische-erstausbildung-fuer-personal-im-ganztag/
[2] GEW - Recht auf Ganztagsbetreuung - https://www.gew.de/ganztag
[3] Universität Duisburg-Essen (IAQ) - Die Offene Ganztagsschule in NRW: Personal - https://www.uni-due.de/imperia/md/content/iaq/20240514_stoebe-blossey_gib-ganztag.pdf
[4] ZEIT Online - Rechtsanspruch auf Ganztag: Garantiert betreut, vielleicht - https://www.zeit.de/2026/06/rechtsanspruch-ganztag-grundschule-betreuung-plaetze-personal
[5] Tagesschau/HR - Sind Grundschulen startklar für die Ganztagsbetreuung? - https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/hessen/hr-rechtsanspruch-an-grundschulen-sind-grundschulen-startklar-fuer-die-ganztagsbetreuung-100.html
[6] Bayerischer Rundfunk - Ganztag an Grundschulen: Rechtsanspruch, aber zu wenig Plätze - https://www.br.de/nachrichten/wissen/ganztag-an-grundschulen-rechtsanspruch-aber-zu-wenig-plaetze,VAk992f
[7] BMBFSFJ - Gesetz zur ganztägigen Förderung von Kindern im Grundschulalter - https://www.bmbfsfj.bund.de/bmbfsfj/ministerium/gesetze/gesetz-rechtsanspruch-ganztagsbetreuung-grundschulen-178966
[8] Bayerisches Staatsministerium - Offene Ganztagsschule - https://www.km.bayern.de/gestalten/ganztagsschule/offener-ganztag