The Am Zagrebplatz daycare center offers care for 109 children, including 12 spots for children under two years of age and 21 spots for school-age children. A family center complements the facility. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate provided 398,000 euros in funding for the new building. The total construction costs amounted to 6,922,000 euros.

“With the Am Zagrebplatz daycare center, we are creating childcare spots in modern, stimulating facilities,” says Mayor Nino Haase. “The road to this opening ceremony was longer than planned. I would like to thank all city administration staff who contributed to the success of the renovation and the temporary solutions, as well as the families for their flexibility and support. I would also like to thank the state of Rhineland-Palatinate for its financial support of the new construction of this daycare center.” 

“The daycare center we’re inaugurating today is not just a place for childcare,” explained Minister Eiling-Hütig. “Here, our children have the opportunity to discover their talents, make friends, and explore the world around them. My thanks go to everyone who was involved in this project. Let’s work together to ensure that this daycare center becomes a place of joy and learning.”

“Now, at last, all the groups at the Am Zagrebplatz daycare center can come together under one roof,” added Jana Schmöller, Head of the Department for Children. “As part of the renovation, not only were the daycare center’s previous facilities restored, but a room was also set up as a family center—another benefit for Hechtsheim in addition to the important daycare spots. As a meeting place for the whole family, the family center connects the daycare center with support services and classes. Parents and children can meet other people from their neighborhood and easily receive support there at the same time.” 

There has been a daycare center at Zagrebplatz since 1985. In February 2018, the facility moved to a container complex on Klein-Winternheimer Weg for the duration of the construction work. After the completion of the new two-story building, the daycare center was able to return to its Zagrebplatz location in April 2023. 

Just a few months after moving back in, in August 2023, a storm with heavy rainfall, combined with a neighborhood-wide power outage, caused severe water damage. Due to the power outage, the pumping system failed, and accumulated water flooded the ground floor. The affected rooms subsequently had to be thoroughly dried out and renovated. 

The impact on childcare operations was mitigated by a temporary solution. During the renovation, a container facility was set up at the rear of the daycare center, housing an activity room, a staff room, and an office. Lunch was provided by an external caterer. The two “nest” groups for children under three years of age moved to facilities at the Bürgerhaus Hechtsheim daycare center, where they were cared for by staff from the Am Zagrebplatz daycare center. The groups for children over three years of age were able to remain on the upper floor throughout the renovation. With the completion of the work, all areas of the facility are now available.

The daycare center cares for children from more than 20 different countries and operates according to an intercultural approach. For example, the children learn about different cultures through activities such as reading aloud in various languages or celebrating traditional festivals. A key focus is on the acquisition and holistic development of the German language. The daycare team works closely with the nearby elementary school to prepare the preschoolers for school. 

As of August 15, 2026, the daycare center at Zagrebplatz cares for 57 children aged zero to ten in four groups (nursery groups, preschool groups, and an after-school care group). The fifth group will begin on the day of the opening ceremony, August 17, 2026. This group will care for children under three years of age. The sixth group is currently being established.