Extended education grew in importance in the canton of Basel-Stadt in 2015, when the model of all-day school incorporating after-school programmes was introduced at lower secondary level. The after-school programmes are open to young people every day during school hours from 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm and includes lunch and supervised afternoon care. Further, the after-school programmes can be supplemented with other activities, excursions, and projects. When organising the after-school programmes, the staff are guided by the needs of the young people. These programmes have since become established and are the only model in Switzerland that are does not require registration. They are completely voluntary and free of charge (with the exception of lunchtime meals and individual excursions/ activities). The German professional discourse is characterized by fears that the after-school programmes will be turned into more time spent in the classroom or by the additional socio-educational value that is expected to be provided of the after-school programmes. From the perspective of youth research, it is essential to obtain the perspective of the users of these after-school programmes, so that possible gaps in the educational discourse can be closed. This study is based on the theoretical framework of socio-educational user research and investigates the following questions using qualitative empirical methods: What benefits do young people see in the after-school programmes at all-day schools at lower secondary level in Basel-Stadt and how do they use it? The results show, among other things, that the young people show different strategies in dealing with the after-school programmes and that an expansion of different competences and skills can take place. In addition, the results show how diverse the benefits of this after-school program for the young people is and that a number of conditions promote or limit the benefits.