For the around 11.4 million pupils in Germany, the start of the six week summer holiday is usually a moment of pure joy.
But for their parents – especially those who work full time – the thought of arranging reliable childcare and keeping youngsters entertained can be overwhelming. And it's even more tricky for single parents.
So just how do families in Germany get through – and what options are out there?
When are children in Germany off school during the summer?
Germany's school calendar varies by region, with the 16 states staggering the summer holiday period.
This year pupils in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland were the first to go off on holiday and will return to school for the next academic year on August 10th.
Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria will be the last states to return, with classes going off at the beginning of August and returning in mid September.
How does Germany's holiday childcare system work?
Unlike in some countries where privately-run summer camps are the main option, Germany offers a mix of public and private childcare during the school holidays.
Many municipalities organise subsidised Ferienprogramme (holiday programmes), while primary schools in some places have Ferienbetreuung (holiday care) for children who are enrolled in all-day schooling or after-school care.
Sports clubs, museums, churches, youth organisations and some employers also run holiday activities.
It results in a system that is usually fairly affordable for families but requires a patchwork approach in order to cover the six-week period.
Another issue is that places for the most popular programmes tend to fill up quickly, which means parents often need to book months in advance.
How do parents typically get through the summer holidays?
For the publication reader Jasmine, 43, who's originally from the Philippines, it's a balancing act. Jasmine and her partner both work full time and have a 12-year-old son.
"We are both mostly working from home," she said. "When one has to go to the office, the other one has to stay home. We are also using our annual leave and our child is enrolled to some summer activities on the days we are not on annual leave."
Jasmine said it can be particularly tricky for foreigners in Germany.
"It’s a challenge not having family nearby, at least to take him to the activities or pick him up would definitely be a big help," she said. "We also tried to look for childcare but remained on the waiting list."
When asked whether Germany's system is set up well for families, Jasmine was positive.
"In our city for example, there are a variety of activities organised by the state and they’re very affordable, some are even free," she said.
"They offer three weeks of childcare at the school too, but it’s when we are on vacation. Our companies and managers are also very understanding when it comes to children, there’s really a lot of flexibility. I think Germany has a very family friendly culture compared to a lot of other countries."
Other readers of the publication painted a similar picture of the summer months.
Lakshmi, 42, who lives in Mülheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, is mum to a one-year-old and 11-year-old. As both Lakshmi and her husband work full time, they get round the summer holidays by taking annual leave for three weeks and working from home for three weeks.
However, Lakshmi said that "work expectations and expensive summer camps" that last "only four hours" a day are the biggest challenges.
Lakshmi added that public childcare and the fact there is some workplace flexibility were welcome to families in Germany.
What options do parents have regionally for summer childcare?
The picture varies throughout the country so it pays to do some research in your area.
In Berlin for instance, each district publishes its own holiday programme featuring a variety of activities. Children can also use the city's Super-Ferien-Pass costing €9 which allows for discounted entry to attractions, free swimming on selected days and access to organised holiday activities throughout the school holidays.
In Munich, the city runs a programme of Ferienangebote, ranging from sports and creative workshops to outdoor adventure camps and supervised holiday trips lasting between five and 10 days. Families on lower incomes can get reduced fees.
Most primary schools in Hamburg offer holiday childcare from morning until afternoon, while many secondary schools also organise programmes for their students. Meanwhile, in Hamburg alone, the Ferienpass offers more than 700 activities.
