Kita Search Glossary

By Lisa H

Last updated on 7 April 2025

As you’re starting your Kita search, there may be some words that you are unclear to you.

So here’s the Kietzee glossary to Kita search (in alphabetical order):

Altersgemischt – mixed group with kids of different ages

Altershomogen – group with kids of the same age

EKT – Elterninitiativ-Kindertagesstätte, see Kinderladen

Elementarbereich – group for kids 3 years and older

Elterninitiative – see Kinderladen

Erzieher/in – Kita educator (male/female)

EV – this could mean either evangelical (usually listed in the beginning of the Kita name or e.V. which stands for "eingetragener Verein", referring to the legal entity of the Kita being a registered association (oftentimes a Kinderladen)

Integrationsstatus – status for kids with special needs

Kindertagespflege – see Tagesmutter

Kinderladen (KiLa) – a Kita run by the parents of the kids attending (Learn more.)

Kita – short for Kindertagesstätte (daycare center)

Kita-Gutschein – the voucher that enables you to sign a contract with a Kita, used in Berlin and a few other cities

Kita-Navigator – Name for Kita search platforms in different cities, incl. Berlin and Düsseldorf

Krippe – Kita group for kids under 3 years old

Tageseltern – see Tagesmutter

Tagesmutter – Self-employed, licensed daycare professional (Learn more.)

Tagesvater – see Tagesmutter

What other words have you come across that we should add to the list? Email Lisa at [email protected]