Register your child with a childminder

Prerequisites

• You have custody
• You live with your child in a shared household and are registered there as your main residence
• Your child has already turned 1 year old
• Your child has not yet completed his or her 14th year
• Your child is not yet enrolled in school and does not attend preschool or your child is already enrolled in school and does not attend full-day care

If you wish to apply for care time of more than 25 hours per week, at least one of the following conditions must also apply:

• You are employed or are completing vocational training or further education
• You receive Hartz IV
• You have immigrated to Germany and are attending a German language course or an integration course
• There are other social or educational needs that make care necessary

Documents required

• Completed application (online or in paper form)
• Copy of the identity documents (identity card, passport) of the parent or parents with custody who are registered with the child at a common residential address with headquarters.
• if applicable: proof of need from the General Social Services (ASD)

If you apply for care for more than 25 hours per week or if you need care before your child reaches the age of 1, you will also need:

• Proof of need (for example, pay slips or employer certificate to prove the extent of your work activity)

If you apply for care for more than 30 hours per week, you will also need:

• Completed questionnaire on financial circumstances (only if applying in paper form)
• Proof of income

Please note

Care is usually granted for a maximum of one year.

If your child is already in care, the approval period is about to end and you want to continue to use the care, you must submit a follow-up application.

Deadlines

Due to the processing time, it is recommended that you submit your initial or new application as early as possible, but no earlier than 6 months before the desired start of care. Care can only be approved retroactively from the time the application is received by the responsible authority.


You must notify us immediately of any changes to the information you have provided.


You should submit a follow-up application at least 3 months before the end of the approval period. An extension can be granted retroactively up to the 1st of the month in which the application was made.

Procedure

• You independently search for a suitable childminder to look after your child.
• You submit your application online, in writing or in person to the responsible authority.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and, if necessary, request any missing documents or information from you.
• If all requirements are met, care by the childminder you have chosen will be approved.
• The childminder receives the approved payments directly. They pay nothing or only a portion of the costs, the so-called parental contribution (also called “participation fee”).

Processing time

Up to 10 weeks

Fees

There are no costs for processing the application. Basic care of 25 hours per week is also free of charge. Costs may apply for longer periods of care. These depend on the actual scope of care and your income.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§ 23 Social Code, Volume VIII (SGB VIII)

www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/__23.html


§ 24 Social Code, Volume VIII (SGB VIII)

www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/__24.html


§ 90 Social Code, Volume VIII (SGB VIII)

www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/__90.html