Finding the right childcare can be one of the biggest decisions for parents. And the process of securing a spot can be confusing.
In Germany, you have a range of options to choose from and depending on where you live they can be relatively affordable compared with some other countries.
In fact, since 2013, parents in Germany have had a legal right to childcare starting from age 1. But while there are nearly 60,000 registered daycare centers (KiTas) across the country, caring for 3.9 million children, parents are still faced with shortages, especially in the big cities.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of everything you need to know about the daycare system in Germany.
Childcare Options in Germany
In Germany, formal daycare or preschool isn’t mandatory, but many parents opt to enroll their children at some point before starting elementary school.
Let’s break down the different options available:
KiTa (Kindertagesstätte): “KiTa” is the general term used for daycare facilities. These daycare centers cater to children from as young as 8 weeks up to 3 or 6 years old, depending on where you live in Germany. Note that in many places, spots are available for kids 12 months or older. In some Kitas (especially bigger ones), separate areas are available for kids under 3 years old (Krippe) and over 3 years old.
Kindergarten: This is the description of daycare that is generally for children aged 3 to 6. Kindergartens also often offer preschool education. Some also accept younger kids.
Tagesmutter/Tagesvater: For smaller, more personal care, some families choose a Tagesmutter or Tagesvater (professional childminders), who typically look after up to five children under the age of 3.
Co-Working & Caring: If you’re open to organizing with other parents, you might consider co-working while alternating childcare duties. It can be a flexible solution for parents who work from home.
Au-Pair, Nannies or Babysitters: If you only need part-time help and can afford it, hiring an Au-Pair or babysitter/nanny is another option. Au-Pairs often live with your family for up to a year and help with household tasks.
Daycare Trends and Availability
91% of children aged 3 to 6 in Germany are enrolled in some form of care, while only 35% for children under 3 attend daycare. The latter number is higher in larger cities, where more families send their children to daycare before 3 years old.
However, in many areas of Germany, the demand for Kita spots often exceeds the available spots. In 2023, Germany faced a shortage of nearly 400,000 daycare spots, particularly in the western states and for children under 3.
Here are some recent stats (2023 and 2024) from a few bigger cities across Germany:
Cologne and Düsseldorf: Only 50% of children under 3 have a daycare spot.
Hamburg: As of 2024, the city still needs over 6,000 more places, though the outlook for 2025 is improving.
Berlin: Due to a decline in birth rates, the situation is slightly better, but in 2023 the city still needed 17,000 additional spots, mainly for under-3s.
Bavaria (incl. Munich): There’s a shortage of 70.000 Kita spots in the state of Bavaria
Pedagogical Approaches and Childcare Hours
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to childcare, so it's worth exploring different pedagogical concepts. Popular models include
Waldorfkindergarten
Montessori
Waldkindergarten (Forest kindergarten)
Situationsansatz
Freinet-Pädagogik
Spielzeugfrei (no toys)
Integrationskindergarten
Bewegungskindergarten (Movement kindergarten)
Check out our article on Kita concepts to learn more.
Childcare centers also offer various options for the length of care, depending on your needs and availability in your area:
Up to 3 hours
3 to 5 hours
5 to 9 hours
More than 9 hours
How to Secure a Daycare Spot
It’s a good idea to start thinking about your needs and preferences when it comes to childcare early on as it will likely play into how you plan your parental leave and time off work.
To learn more, you can attend information evenings at your preferred centers to learn more about their application process and make personal connections. Applying in person can also improve your chances. And if you’ve already secured a spot for your firstborn, siblings usually get priority.
The process of securing a Kita spot varies per region and city – check with your local Jugendamt (child welfare office) to find out how it works where you live.
In addition, we feature Guides on how to find a Kita in a few of the big German cities on Kietzee:
How to find a Kita in Cologne [coming soon]
How to find a Kita in Frankfurt [coming soon]
How to find a Kita in Munich [coming soon]
How to find a Kita in Hamburg [coming soon]
Childcare Costs in Germany
The cost of childcare can vary significantly depending on the state you live in.
In some states, like Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, childcare from age 1 is free, although families often pay a small fee for food (e.g., €23 per month in Berlin). Other states may offer free or reduced-cost care based on income or the child’s age.
For cities in the states that don’t offer free Kita, the costs vary from under €100 to more than €1000 per month (sometimes depending on parental income). Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich are the most expensive cities for childcare and especially private daycare centers with special programs charge higher fees.
Tagesmutter costs can vary based on the location and time spent, ranging from €3 to €25 per hour. In some states, like Berlin, the costs are covered similarly to KiTas.
Co-Working, Au-Pair, or Babysitter services may have different pricing structures depending on the agency or arrangement.
Good news for parents: childcare costs are tax-deductible up to €4,000 per child, per year.
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