The nurseries care for children from 8 weeks of age until they start kindergarten. The teachers work closely with the families to accompany and support the development of each child's whole personality. Each child brings their own individual pace of development to the group. The children's autonomous motor development is respected. The municipal nurseries support the children's independence, curiosity, willingness to learn, and vital and emotional strengths.
The creation of suitable spaces for experience and play helps the children to increasingly explore the world around them.

Kindergartens accept children from the age of three until they start compulsory schooling. As a rule, up to 25 children, who are accepted on a part-time or full-time basis, live together in a mixed-age group. The focus is on the overall development of the child. The educational programs are developed according to a situation-oriented approach.
Part-time children attend kindergarten in the morning and afternoon. The children are at home during lunchtime.
For full-time children, childcare is usually available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They receive a hot meal and an afternoon snack and have the opportunity to rest.
In addition, where circumstances (e.g., space) allow, part-time places with lunch are offered. There is also a "full-time by the day" option, which allows part-time children to take advantage of full-time care on certain individual days of the week.

In after-school care centers, school-age children aged 6 to 14 receive educational support during school-free periods (before and after school and during the holidays). The children eat lunch together, do their homework, and actively organize their free time.
The educational work of the after-school care center is strongly influenced by the school. That is why a trusting relationship between the school, parents, and after-school care center is so important. Leisure activities are
the main focus, as a balance to the demands of school. Of course, the children can continue to maintain their outside contacts (friends, sports clubs, etc.).

In some daycare centers, the city of Mainz runs "Haus-für-Kinder-Gruppen" (children's groups), in which children of different ages (e.g., kindergarten and school children in one group) are cared for. This gives children the opportunity to build lasting relationships over several years, not only with the teachers but also with other children. The group size is usually around 20 children. Care is taken to ensure a balanced ratio, usually 10 kindergarten children and 10 after-school care children. The daily routine and thus the educational content are tailored to the different needs of all children.

The special kindergarten in Mainz accepts children aged 3 to 6 who require special educational and therapeutic care due to hearing and/or speech impairments. The Clinic for Speech and Communication Disorders
at Mainz University Medical Center is responsible for admissions to the special kindergarten. Admission of children is not limited to the Mainz area.

Integrative kindergartens are attended by disabled and non-disabled children aged 3 to 6. The focus is on learning and living together. This lays the foundations for a better understanding between disabled and non-disabled people.