Daycare and kindergarten: choosing and registering

In short: Choosing a daycare centre or kindergarten depends on the educational concept, location, care hours and personal gut feeling. Since 2013 there has been a legal entitlement to a care place from the first year of life in Germany.

In more detail: Depending on local demand, finding a place can be challenging despite the legal entitlement.

In detail

• Educational concepts: Situational approach, Montessori, forest kindergarten or bilingual offers differ greatly.
• Registration: Register as early as possible, often already during pregnancy.
• Visiting: A personal visit gives a better impression than mere descriptions.
• Opening hours: Match the flexibility of care hours with your own work requirements.
• Costs: Parental contributions are tiered differently depending on the municipality and income.
• Settling in: A careful, individual settling-in phase eases the start for children.
• Transition to school: Some daycare centres specifically prepare children for starting school (einschulung-gut-vorbereiten).