New after-school building in Wittenberge: Colorful rooms for 247 kids!

New after-school building in Wittenberge: Colorful rooms for 247 kids!

Something is happening in Wittenberge! The new extension to the Elbland primary school will be ceremoniously opened on September 8th and promises to take childcare to a new level. The color of the extension not only fits in perfectly with the existing after-school building, which opened its doors in 2022, but also brings a breath of fresh air into the interior, which is designed in bright green. Here you don't just play, you also learn - four new rooms are available: a role play room, a music room that has been moved from the school building, a room for digital education and an after-school workshop.

The color scheme continues in the hallway, which is bathed in a vibrant orange, and a terrace for outdoor play is also planned. With this expansion, the area of ​​the after-school care center will double to a total of 705 square meters. Afterwards, 247 children can be looked after, although all places are already fully booked - waiting lists are the result of the growing number of students. Around 420 children attended the primary school last year. That is 90 more than in the 2021/22 class, many of them with a migrant background from countries such as Ukraine or Syria.

Investments for the future

But how much does such an expansion cost? The entire school expansion costs around 1.174 million euros. It is not surprising that 90% of these costs are funded by the “all-day investment program” of the Brandenburg Ministry of Education. A good example of how education and infrastructure can go hand in hand. The new care is aimed at students from first to sixth grade and is open in the morning between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and after school until a maximum of 5 p.m.

Currently, care was organized for around 80 children in the first three weeks of the summer holidays, while emergency care will be offered for around 30 children in the next three weeks. It becomes clear here that the Elbland primary school is not only a place for learning, but also for social interaction, especially in times of growing challenges in integration work.

Think outside the box

And while the course is being set here in Wittenberge for a positive future for the youngest, it is clear that the topic of horticulture and education also has great international relevance. The AmericanHort organization, for example, advocates for the interests of the horticultural industry and offers a platform for exchange and further training. Here growers, retailers, landscape designers and many other stakeholders find a voice and support. Their programs, from building a network to educational units and trade fairs, are also of interest to schools and educational institutions, regardless of whether it involves direct garden projects or the integration of green elements into everyday school life.

All of this shows: Wittenberge not only responds to the needs of the current student population, but also focuses on the education of tomorrow. With fresh ideas, the right financing and a keen sense of the challenges of change, you can do good business there - for the children, the school and the whole city!