Kita in Germany: how to find a daycare place

Who needs it

Families who want childcare before school. In Germany this usually means:

• Krippe (nursery): children under 3
• Kindergarten: children from 3 until school
• Kita (Kindertagesstätte): the general word for daycare centres. Many take children from about 1 to 6.
• Kindertagespflege (family daycare): care by a qualified childminder (Tagesmutter or Tagesvater), usually in small groups of up to five children

Your legal right

• From age 1 until age 3: your child has a right to early childhood education in a Kita or with a childminder. The hours depend on your child's and your family's needs.
• From age 3 until school: your child has a right to a place in a Kita.
• Under 1: a place must be offered in certain cases, for example if both parents work, study or are in training.

This right comes from § 24 SGB VIII (Social Code, Book VIII). It is a right against your local youth welfare office (Jugendamt), not against a particular Kita. It does not guarantee a place in your favourite Kita or next to your home.

When

Start looking early, ideally during pregnancy or as soon as you know you are moving. Many Kitas have waiting lists, and some only take new children at certain times of year, often late summer. Your state may also require you to tell the Jugendamt several months before you need a place.

What you need

Requirements vary. Commonly:

• Your registered address, as a Meldebescheinigung (usually required). See Anmeldung.
• Your child's birth certificate (usually required)
• Proof of measles vaccination or immunity (mandatory for Kitas under § 20 of the Infection Protection Act)
• Proof of your working hours or training, if you need longer care hours (depends)
• A Kita-Gutschein or confirmation of need, in cities that use them (depends)

How to do it

1. Find out how your city allocates places. Some cities use a central online portal, others a voucher system, and many simply ask you to contact each Kita directly.
2. Get a voucher, if your city uses one. In Berlin and Hamburg, for example, you apply for a Kita-Gutschein (childcare voucher) from the local authority. It confirms your child's entitlement and hours. You then look for a Kita that has space. In Berlin you should apply at least two months before care starts, and at the earliest nine months before.
3. Contact several Kitas. Register on their waiting lists, visit open days and follow up regularly. Being persistent helps.
4. Consider a childminder. Kindertagespflege is often easier to find for under-3s, and it counts towards your legal right. The Jugendamt can help you find a childminder.
5. Sign the care contract with the Kita or childminder and plan the settling-in period (Eingewöhnung), which often takes a few weeks with a parent present.

Costs

Fees are set by each state and often by the city or the Kita provider. They depend on your state, your child's age, the care hours and often your income.

• Some states charge no fees for care. In Berlin, for example, Kita care is free for parents apart from a small contribution towards meals.
• Elsewhere, fees are often income-based and can differ a lot between neighbouring cities.
• Meals, excursions and nappies may cost extra.

Ask your city or the Kita for the current fee table.

School enrolment (Einschulung)

School is compulsory in Germany. Children usually start primary school (Grundschule) in the late summer after they turn six. The exact cut-off date depends on your state. Typically, the city writes to you or asks you to register your child at the local primary school about a year in advance. A school entry health check (Schuleingangsuntersuchung) is part of the process.

From the 2026/27 school year, primary school children gain a new legal right to all-day care (Ganztag). It starts with first-graders and is extended year by year.

Common problems

We don't speak German. Will my child cope?

Most young children pick up German quickly in a Kita, and Kita is often the best preparation for school. Some cities have Kitas with English or bilingual programmes, but places are limited.

Can I claim my legal right if no Kita has space?

Yes. The right is against the Jugendamt. If it cannot offer a suitable place, you may be able to claim compensation for your costs or lost income. Get legal advice before you take action.

Is a Tagesmutter cheaper than a Kita?

It depends on the city. Parent fees for publicly funded Kindertagespflege are set locally and are often in a similar range to Kita fees. Private arrangements outside the public system can cost much more. Ask your Jugendamt.