Family

Organise childcare

Find a nursery or childcare place early and check the procedure of your city or municipality.

Nursery and childminding are the main options

Small children can be cared for in a day-care centre, often called Kita, or partly by a childminder.

  • Registration, allocation of places, opening hours and costs differ by federal state and municipality.

Where do you register your child?

The procedure is local. Some cities have a central nursery portal, others work through the youth welfare office, providers or the facilities directly.

  • So look for the official nursery portal or youth welfare office of your place of residence.

Take care of it early

Childcare places can be scarce. So register your need as early as possible through the official channel of your municipality.

No place found?

If you cannot find a place, contact the responsible youth welfare office or the local youth welfare provider.

  • There you can clarify which nursery or childminding options are available and how your legal entitlement can be met.
  • If no solution is found, legal advice can make sense.

What should you clarify beforehand?

  • Desired start of care
  • Required care hours
  • Nursery or childminder
  • Place of residence or catchment area
  • Local registration or pre-registration

Terms on this page

Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.

This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.

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