In Germany, even children at a very young age are supervised by adults who are not their mothers or fathers. There are different options:

Legal right

In Germany you have the right to a childcare place for your children. This means that you can have your child cared for in kindergarten, but you do not have to. Every child from 1 year has a legal right to a childcare place. This legal claim can be met by a childcare place in a day care center or in day care.

Nursery

Children between the ages of 0 and 3 can attend nurseries where they are supervised throughout the day. You usually have to pay for a nursery place. If you do not have a lot of money or if you have many children, you can submit an application to the youth welfare office for reduction of or exemption from fees. If the application is accepted, you have to pay reduced or no fees.

Kindergarten/child care center

Children from the age of two can attend kindergarten until they are ready to enter school. There are also child care centers that accept children from the age of one. Usually, children are divided into groups of 15 to 25 people. The group arrangements vary in every kindergarten. You can always ask the teachers for more information. They will answer all of your questions. You can take a look at the kindergarten before registering your child. That way you can find out whether you and your child will feel comfortable in the new surroundings. Usually, children are accepted for a half-day place where they are supervised during the morning and afternoon. But you have to pick up your child at lunchtime, so they can have their meal at home. In Germany, many parents have to work all day. That is why full-day care places are available as well. The children can spend their whole day at the kindergarten and have lunch together, but meals must be paid for. If you do not have enough money, you can apply for an education package for your child. You have to discuss the availability of a full-day place with the kindergarten administration.

Child Day Care

Children have a right to care in Germany from 1 year. There are not always enough kindergarten places. Another option is a daycare for children. This means you bring your child directly to the childminder or the day father home. Sometimes, however, the childminder or day-father also comes to your home. You have to pay for day care. If you have too little money, you can apply to the youth welfare office for a reduction or exemption from the contribution. Then you have to pay less or no money.

What does a kindergarten place cost?

The costs depend on your place of residence.

Baden-Württemberg

In Baden-Wuerttemberg, you have to pay for child care. You can inquire about the individual costs at your kindergarten. Fees vary depending on how much money the parents earn, how many children they have and how long their child will attend the kindergarten. If you can’t afford the fees, you can submit an application for reduction or exemption to the youth welfare office. If the application is accepted, you have to pay reduced or no fees. Reduction of fees Registration

Rheinland-Pfalz

In the federal state Rhineland-Palatinate, kindergarten places for children from the age of two are free of charge. For children under the age of two, you have to pay fees. If you have very limited money (see also ‘Job center’), you can submit an application to the youth welfare office for reduction of or exemption from fees. If the application is accepted, you have to pay reduced or no fees.

Hessen

In Hesse, you have to pay for child care. You can inquire about the individual costs at your kindergarten. If you can’t afford the fees, you can submit an application for reduction or exemption to the youth welfare office. Application