For many months, discussions and negotiations took place, which have now been concluded in a cooperation agreement. From August 1, 2022, the CJD, Christian Youth Village in Homburg, will assume responsibility for the voluntary all-day schools (short FGTS) at the St. Ingbert primary schools. "Ultimately, many reasons led to the decision to hand over the FGTS to new management. We are very pleased to have found a partner in the CJD who, with high competence and qualitative know-how, is ideally suited as the new sponsor," said Nadine Backes, Deputy for Children and Education of the city of St. Ingbert. Due to the significantly increased demand for childcare places in recent years, also with regard to the legal entitlement starting in 2026, it became necessary to expand the care offer quantitatively and qualitatively in a timely manner. The medium-sized town of St. Ingbert, as the responsible school authority, has therefore, together with the relevant school committees and the city council, decided to transfer the voluntary all-day school to a new, state-wide operating and experienced sponsor from the coming school year. "We also see this as a great opportunity to unite the locations of the city and continue to have them under one roof,
"Creating networks, initiating joint projects, and also coordinating holiday care well," Nadine Backes lists further reasons. It is also important that everyone can benefit from the same quality standard everywhere. Not to be forgotten is that Marika Flierl and Michael Sommer, the two managing directors of GBQ, the non-profit municipal company for employment and qualification St. Ingbert mbH, which has so far held the sponsorship, will soon retire, resulting in the loss of years of experience and knowledge about the FGTS. Now, without necessity and with the required foresight, the change of sponsorship can be carried out.
The GBQ St. Ingbert is happy to assist with any inquiries
"For the children and parents, there are no significant changes due to the transition. Everyone retains their childcare place if they wish, the fees remain unchanged as they are legally mandated, and there are no changes in the childcare staff either; they only change employers," explains Michael Sommer, Managing Director of GBQ. This was communicated to the parents in a joint letter with the CJD. "Of course, we are happy to answer any questions until the changeover has gone smoothly. We are in constant contact with the team leaders of the voluntary all-day schools and with the CJD, and the cooperation is going very well," Sommer continues. Tobias Verburg, who is in charge of the program at CJD, can also confirm this: "The cooperation with the city of St. Ingbert and GBQ went excellently. There is still much to do and the time is tight, but I am confident that we will achieve this together. In fact, we have never before taken over so many locations at once as in St. Ingbert, with a total of 640 children. This is a challenge for us as well."
Currently, CJD Homburg/Saar gGmbH supports 25 voluntary all-day schools in the Saarland with 1,250 children across four districts. With the funding program "Voluntary All-Day School in Saarland" (FGTS), the state government established an after-school education and care program to better reconcile family and work. Depending on the offer and facilities of the schools, the students have lunch together after classes. Afterwards, they do their homework under supervision and spend the afternoon engaged in age-appropriate activities.
The goal is to further develop the support of the FGTS team leadership at the educational locations
So far, GBQ gGmbH as the sponsor has been a contact person on site in St. Ingbert. "I do not see this as a problem. Very often, contacts take place by telephone or email. And based on experience, the caregivers or the team management are the first points of contact for questions. If it is expressly desired, of course, we also travel to the school location for a personal meeting," explains Tobias Verburg, who has been working in the FGTS area for ten years.
"The aim is to further develop the locations into an 'FGTS of the Future' in new buildings, with sufficient spaces and qualified and motivated staff as well as appropriate educational concepts and offerings, with the support of the FGTS team management," explains Nadine Backes. "Our staff and team leaders are doing excellent work and deserve our appreciation. All of them are offered a transfer to the Christian Youth Village Homburg," says Marika Flierl, Managing Director of GBQ St. Ingbert, with enthusiasm. Mike White, Head of the Family, Social Affairs, and Integration department, speaks of a qualitative and quantitative improvement based on the guiding principles for education and care and once again emphasizes the good cooperation of all those involved.
