Opening of large day care center in Hechtsheim
The city of Mainz is further expanding its childcare services for children under the age of two. As part of the "ChiK - equal opportunities in child day care" program, 10 childcare places have been created. Head of the Children's Department Jana Schmöller inaugurated the new "Kleine Bienen" daycare center in Mainz-Hechtsheim today.
Since 2023, large-scale daycare centers have been able to be established by two daycare providers joining forces and working under one roof—rather than operating independently as is usually the case. This provides them with professional support and organizational benefits. With the new large-scale daycare center, the City of Mainz has created ten daycare spots for children under two years of age for families in Hechtsheim. The premises on Max-Born-Straße are leased by the City of Mainz. Care is provided in small groups, and each child has a designated caregiver.
Today, Jana Schmöller, Head of the Department of Children’s Affairs for the state capital of Mainz, officially opened the facility, which has been welcoming children since October 1, 2025: “Child day care is an indispensable part of our child care landscape. I am delighted that we can offer families in Hechtsheim additional local care spots for their little ones.” She thanked the child care providers for their dedication, as well as for the excellent collaboration with the landlord and the architects involved in the planning and implementation of the facility. “The rooms create a wonderful setting for care, creative play, and the children’s development. At the same time, the large-scale child care model offers the professionals valuable opportunities for mutual support.”
Large-scale daycare is part of the City of Mainz’s regular childcare services. With operating hours from Monday through Friday—seven consecutive hours each morning—it meets the legal entitlement under the Rhineland-Palatinate Daycare Act (State Law on the Upbringing, Education, and Care of Children in Daycare Facilities and in Family Daycare, or KiTaG for short). The ten spots at “Kleine Bienen” were made available through the “ChiK – Equal Opportunity in Child Day Care” project by the Office for Youth and Family of the State Capital of Mainz. ChiK treats child day care on par with daycare centers. Parents pay the same fees here as for a daycare center spot; there are no additional private co-payments. This also enables low-income families to access childcare for children under three years of age. Spots are allocated by the Office for Youth and Family Affairs of the state capital Mainz.
Contact
Child Day Care Placement, Office for Youth and Family Affairs of the State Capital of Mainz: vermittlung-kindertagespflegestadt.mainzde
