Chapter 1: Child day care - What is it?
Many children in Germany attend a daycare center before starting school. The abbreviation for daycare center is "Kita". A daycare center is a safe place where children are looked after by teachers, gain experience outside the family and learn important norms and values for their lives. It also prepares children for school.
Depending on a child's age, there are different forms of daycare:
Crèche: | 0 to 3 years |
Kindergarten: | from 3 years until school entry |
Young children (0 to 3 years) can also be looked after in day care. In day care, a childminder looks after the children at home or in other suitable premises. No more than 5 children in total are cared for in day care. When a child turns 3 years old, it must leave day care and move to a kindergarten. You must apply for a place in kindergarten in good time. Day care is not available in every town or municipality.
Tip: Please find out whether this form of childcare is offered in your town or municipality!
Attending daycare is voluntary, which means that parents decide when their child goes to daycare. Most children go to a daycare center after their 1st birthday.
ATTENTION: The earlier your child starts nursery, the more time your child has to learn the German language and all the skills that are important for school! The later your child starts nursery, the less time there is to prepare for school!
According to the law, all children in Germany, and therefore also in Saxony, have a legal entitlement to a childcare place from the age of 1. In Saxony, childcare is regulated by the "Gesetz über Kindertageseinrichtungen" (SächsKitaG).
Asylum seekers and refugees in Saxony have a legal entitlement to a childcare place in a daycare center or in day care from the moment they are assigned to a municipality, regardless of their residence status and prospects of staying.
Every daycare center has a provider. There are "public providers", i.e. the city or municipality is responsible for the daycare center. However, a daycare center can also be run by an "independent provider". Independent providers are, for example, churches, charities or associations.
The provider is responsible for the processes in the daycare center and takes on important tasks in the areas of personnel and organization. The provider concludes a childcare contract with the parents and sets the monthly costs for childcare (parental contribution). The provider also decides on the educational concept of the daycare center.
A pedagogical concept describes the basis for the daily work of the educators in dealing with the children. The concept describes which goals and priorities are implemented in the upbringing, education and care of the children.
There are many different concepts. Daycare centers with a church sponsor have a concept with a focus on the respective religion. Other concepts focus, for example, on nature and the environment, health or music. You should find out about the concept of the daycare center beforehand. This will help you choose the right daycare center for your child.
In all concepts, the children are looked after in groups. Sometimes there are only children of the same age in a group, but sometimes older and younger children play and learn together. In addition, girls and boys are cared for together, i.e. there is no separation by gender.
Tip: Make an appointment at the daycare center! You will receive all the important information on site and can ask any questions you may have!
The "Saxon Education Plan" forms the basis for the educational concepts and the day-to-day work of the educators in the daycare centers. To ensure that all children have the same opportunities from the outset and are supported equally at all levels, the education plan sets out 6 key areas for children's education. Education in the daycare center is referred to as "early childhood education". The combination of play and learning creates the conditions for the best possible physical and mental development as well as good preparation for school. This means that the foundation for a child's future is already laid in the daycare center.
6 educational areas:
Discovery - science education (nature, environment, technology)
Ordering - mathematical education (numbers, quantities, shapes)
Perception - aesthetic education (artistic expression - music, dance, theater)
Well-being - somatic education (body, movement, health)
Dialogue - communicative education (language, writing, media)
Participation - social education (social skills - values, norms, empathy)
Attending a daycare center is very important for a child's development. By playing together, children learn to develop their own skills and knowledge, form their personality and gain important experience for their future life.
At daycare, children can:
get to know other children and make friends
learn to argue and get along without violence
have fun in the group, laugh, dance and sing
explore and discover new and interesting things
learn the German language
take part in excursions
At the daycare center, children learn
self-esteem and self-confidence
Thinking skills and creativity
to take responsibility for themselves and others
Empathy and a sense of community
the ability to deal with conflict and abide by rules
Dealing with disappointment and failure
While a child is at daycare, parents have time to go to work, attend appointments (for example at the doctor's or a public authority), do household chores or attend a German course. The daycare center can also be a place for parents. Parents can become active and participate.
Through the contacts at the daycare center, parents can
get to know other adults and make friends
exchange experiences with other parents
help with the preparation of parties and events
get help with parenting
In the daycare center, the children are looked after by educators, which means that both men and women work in a daycare center. The educators make sure that the children feel comfortable and safe. The educators have special training. During their training, they learn what children need, how to support children and how children develop.
The educators have the task of accompanying and encouraging the children as they play, learn and discover. They also teach the children important values and norms. The teachers have regular discussions with the parents and inform the parents about the child's development.
It is important that you understand everything about the procedures in the daycare center and your child. This is the only way you can independently take on all organizational tasks in connection with attending daycare.
Parents should:
understand the contract and the house rules
adhere to the daily care times
observe the daily routine at the daycare center
organize the care (meals)
ensure the financing (parental contribution)
take part in development discussions, parents' evenings, activities at the daycare center
inform the daycare center of any changes (illness, vacation, contact details)
Tip: In order to fulfill these tasks and speak to the teachers, you need to learn German as quickly as possible!
Cooperation between parents and educators is very important. They should take joint responsibility for the child's well-being and work together as partners in the child's upbringing and education. Important foundations of the work with parents are not only regular discussions about the child's behavior and development, but also about the goals of education and the pedagogical work of the educators. Parents need to know how their child is doing at the daycare center. For this reason, parents should not only regularly attend parents' evenings and development meetings at the daycare center, but also participate in tasks, offers or activities at the daycare center. At the same time, parents have the opportunity to receive recommendations or assistance for possible problems in the family.
Children with a recognized disability or children with physical, mental or social disabilities can attend a daycare centre. These children need special care and support. There are special daycare centers that have experience in dealing with these special needs. These daycare centers are called "integrative daycare centers". In an integrative daycare center, educators work with additional training in order to better meet the needs of the child.
Children develop differently. Not every conspicuous behavior is a sign of a disability or restriction. If the teachers notice that a child is developing differently (slower or faster) than other children, they will inform the parents and recommend an appointment with a doctor, for example. If parents themselves notice that their child is developing differently from other children, they should also speak to a doctor and find out about the possibility of "early intervention".
Early intervention measures and support are intended to reduce or prevent the consequences of a disability. However, early intervention is also an offer to provide preventative measures for children with impending physical, mental or social developmental delays. Children should be supported in good time if, for example, they are not learning to speak properly, cannot see or hear well or at all, or have problems with movement. Early intervention includes educational and psychological measures designed to positively influence the child's development. Early intervention services also include advice, guidance and support for parents.
Early intervention services must be applied for. In addition, access to the services depends on the duration of residence and residence status. There are advice centers in Saxony that provide support with the application process and information about the access requirements.
Contact:
Central Saxony District Office
Department of Social Affairs
Department for integration assistance
Telephone: 03731 799-6423
E-Mail: eingliederungshilfe@landkreis-mittelsachsen.de
Internet: www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/behoerdenaufbau/referat-eingliederungshilfe.html
Further information on advice centers in Central Saxony at:
Chapter 2: Registration - How do I find a daycare place?
There are many daycare centers in the district of Mittelsachsen. You can choose in your town or municipality which daycare center you would like your child to attend. The prerequisite is that there are enough daycare places available. To get a place in a daycare center, you must first register your child and submit an application. It is important that you find out about the local childcare options in good time.
It is not possible to register before the birth. Registration should take place at least 6 months before the desired start of childcare. Information on registration and the application can be obtained directly from the daycare center or from the city or municipal administration.
After successful registration, you will receive an appointment from the provider to sign the childcare contract. You will also receive an invitation from the daycare center for an interview to get to know each other and to discuss your start at the daycare center.
ATTENTION: If you do not yet speak German, you will need to organize a translation for the registration and the discussions with the provider and at the daycare centre!
A free place is sometimes only available after a few weeks or months. There are often waiting lists because many parents want to register their children at the daycare center.
ATTENTION: It is not always possible to get a place where the parents want it. This means that the daycare center does not always have to be close to your home. If there is no place available at the desired daycare center, you will have to wait for a free place or choose another daycare center. For this reason, you should find out about different daycare centers and specify several daycare centers when submitting your application.
Registration certificate (confirmation of registration in the place of residence)
Valid document of residence status or identity card (e.g. Aufenthaltsgestattung, Duldung or residence permit)
possibly a birth certificate of the child (If a birth certificate is not available in German, a certified translation should be prepared)
possibly proof that the parents work (this information is needed to determine the daily care time).
Medical examination
All children must have a medical examination before their first day at the daycare center. The examination can be carried out by a pediatrician or a general practitioner. The doctor must confirm that the child is healthy and has no infectious diseases. The doctor must also confirm that there are no objections to the child attending a daycare center (physical and mental development) and that all necessary vaccinations have been received. The doctor issues a written certificate as confirmation. The certificate is called "Medical certificate for admission to daycare centers". You must hand this certificate in at the daycare center.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations can protect children from many infectious diseases. For example, against measles, rubella or chickenpox. All parents in Germany must prove that they have received advice from a doctor on the subject of vaccinations.
Since 01.03.2020, all children must be vaccinated against measles. This vaccination is compulsory, which means that a child cannot go to nursery without this vaccination. After vaccination, every child receives a vaccination card. The doctor enters all vaccinations there.
There is a vaccination calendar. In it, parents can read when and against which diseases a child can receive a vaccination. The vaccination calendar is available on the website of the Robert Koch Institute in 20 different languages at
The parents sign a childcare contract with the provider. The contract contains a lot of important information. Each provider has different contracts.
A contract contains, for example
the details of the parents and the child
the start and end of the contract
the opening hours of the daycare center
the daily care time (fixed number of hours per day)
the costs of care (amount of monthly parental contributions)
the catering offered (offer in the daycare center or external food provider)
the notice period
Another important document is the house rules. The house rules contain binding rules of conduct for all parents.
The house rules regulate, for example
the daily routine (drop-off and pick-up times, lunch break, meal times)
the procedure in the event of illness or absence of the child
the wearing of jewelry
the bringing of toys
the duty of supervision at special events (parties or events at the daycare center)
behavior when entering and leaving the daycare center
ATTENTION: It is important that you know the house rules and follow them! These rules are intended to ensure the smooth daily running of the daycare center! So that your child can be cared for safely and well!
A daycare center is almost always open from Monday to Friday and from morning to afternoon. Most daycare centers are closed on public holidays. Some daycare centers are also closed on other days of the year.
Tip: Ask the daycare center on which days of the year it is open or closed!
A child can go to daycare all day or just part of the day. The daily care time is specified in the childcare contract. How many hours a child is at the daycare center depends on whether the parents go to work or are at home. If a child is to go to daycare all day, some cities or municipalities require proof that both parents work, are in training or that the family needs special help.
ATTENTION: The daily routine at the daycare center is regulated. The children do many activities together. It is therefore important that you always bring your child to and collect them from the daycare center at the agreed time!
Yes, this is possible. If the parental contribution is not paid, the provider can terminate the childcare contract and the child can no longer attend the daycare center.
A child can also lose its place at the daycare center if the parents leave it at home for a long time without deregistering. Some parents wait a long time for a place at the daycare center. If a child has not been at the daycare center for a long time without explanation, the place can be given to another family.
ATTENTION: Please inform the Kita if you want to travel with your child or if your child has to stay at home due to illness!
Chapter 3: Financing and funding - Where can I get financial support?
A place in a daycare center costs money, which means that parents have to pay for childcare. The monthly costs for a daycare place are called the "parental contribution". The provider sets the parental contribution and informs the parents of the amount of the monthly costs. Parents must pay the parental contribution regularly and punctually.
The amount of the parental contribution varies. The amount of the parental contribution depends on the parents' income and whether a child is looked after in a crèche or a kindergarten. However, the amount of parental contributions also depends on how many hours a day a child attends the daycare center, whether a mother or father looks after the child alone and whether there are siblings in other daycare centers or in daycare.
You can get financial help if you only have a low income or receive one of the following state benefits:
Money from the job center
Money from the social welfare office
Asylum seeker benefits (AsylbLG)
Child allowance
Housing benefit
In order to receive financial assistance, you must submit an application to the Mittelsachsen District Office in the "Child day care and support" department. This application is called "Antrag auf Übernahme des Elternbeitrages".
Contact:
Central Saxony District Office
Youth and Family Department
Child day care and support department
Telephone: 03731 799-6258
E-Mail: jugend.familie@landkreis-mittelsachsen.de
Internet: www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/buergerservice/elternbeitraege-fuer-krippe-kindergarten-hort-und-kindertagespflege.html
There is further financial assistance. Benefits for education and participation. This assistance is also known colloquially as the "education package". You can apply for the education package if you receive one of the following state benefits:
Money from the Jobcenter
Money from the social welfare office
Asylum seeker benefits (AsylbLG)
Child allowance
Housing benefit
In order to receive financial assistance from the education package, an application must be submitted. A separate application must be submitted for each request. For example, if a child attends daycare, the education package provides
Money for lunch:
Lunch is then free of charge. Parents do not have to pay anything.
Money for excursions and trips with the daycare center:
The costs for excursions or trips can be paid for.
Money for leisure activities:
Parents can receive 15 euros per month to allow a child to attend a sports club or music school in their free time, for example.
If you receive money from the Jobcenter, you must submit an application to the Jobcenter Mittelsachsen.
Contact:
Jobcenter Mittelsachsen
Telephone: 03727 9966-900
E-Mail: jobcenter-mittelsachsen@jobcenter-ge.de
Internet: www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/behoerden/jobcenter-mittelsachsen.html
Families who receive money from the social welfare office, housing benefit, child supplement or asylum seeker benefits must submit an application to the Mittelsachsen district office.
Contact:
District Office of Central Saxony
Department of Social Affairs
Department forSubsistence Assistance and Basic Security
Phone: 03731799-0
E-mail : bildungundteilhabe@landkreis-mittelsachsen.de
Internet : www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/buergerservice/bildungspaket-leistungen-fuer-bildung-und-teilhabe-empfaenger-von-sozialhilfe-kinderzuschlag-wohngeld.html
District Office of Central Saxony
Department for Foreigners and Asylum Matters
Staff unit for asylum seeker benefits
Telephone: 03731 799-3600
E-Mail: auslaenderbehoerde@landkreis-mittelsachsen.de
Internet: www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/behoerdenaufbau/stabsbereich-asylbewerberleistungen.html
Chapter 4: Everyday life - What happens in the daycare center?
When a child goes to daycare for the first time, everything is completely new and unfamiliar. That's why many daycare centers offer children the opportunity to get to know the daycare center together with their parents. This time is called "settling in". The settling-in period can last several weeks. The parents agree the length of the settling-in period with the daycare center.
During the settling-in period, the parents initially stay at the daycare center with their child for a few hours. Afterwards, the parents leave their child alone in the daycare center for a short time. The times during which the child remains alone in the daycare center are extended further and further. It can take a few days or even weeks for a child to feel comfortable in the daycare center. The children need this time to gain trust in the other children and the teachers. After settling in, you bring your child to the daycare center in the morning and pick it up again after the agreed time.
Slippers
Backpack
Lunch box with breakfast and fruit
daily clothing:
Sleeping clothes
underwear
socks
trousers
T-shirt
special clothing:
Rainwear (rain jacket, mud pants, rubber boots)
Winter clothing (hat and gloves)
Summer clothing (headgear)
diapers
Care products (creams, wet wipes)
Tip: Ask the nursery what items you need to give your child!
The children get something to eat at the daycare center. The food costs money. Some daycare centers offer meals for the whole day. This means that the children get breakfast, lunch and a small meal in the afternoon (snack). In many daycare centers, there is a food provider who delivers the food every day. You then have to sign a contract with the food provider and receive an invoice every month.
Other daycare centers prepare the food for the children directly in the daycare center. In this case, you must pay the daycare provider for the food.
In some daycare centers, parents have to prepare their child's food for breakfast and snack at home every day and bring it to the daycare center.
Lunch is very often prepared at the daycare center or delivered by a food provider.
Tip: Ask the daycare centre how the food is organized and what you need to bear in mind!
In Germany, there is a duty of notification. This means that you must inform the educators if your child is ill or needs other special support. Parents must inform the daycare center in writing of the following:
Allergies and intolerances
notifiable illnesses (e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, fever, lice)
Medication for emergencies
Medication for a chronic illness
Other special features
Tip: If you are not sure, talk to the educators at the daycare center! They will help you with any questions!
Chapter 5: The school preparation year - How does the transition from nursery to school work?
Preparation for school begins on the very first day at nursery. In the last year at the daycare center, the children are specially prepared and supported for school. This is why this time is also called the "school preparation year". In particular, the teachers promote the children's language, movement, perception and mental development. The children should understand that school is about learning.
The transition from nursery to school should be easy. That is why the children should get to know the school. The teachers talk to the children about school. Sometimes the teachers visit a school with the children or a teacher comes to visit the daycare center for a day. The daycare centers work closely with the schools during this time.
As parents, you have a role model function and should support your child. There are many situations in everyday life where you can encourage and support your child. You can create daily situations together with your child and provide stimuli for learning.
For example, you can work with your child to
Learn numbers and colors
Read books and tell stories
Paint pictures and do handicrafts
go to the playground or ride a bike
practicing independent tasks (getting dressed, brushing teeth, setting the table)
School attendance is compulsory in Germany. The Saxon School Act (SächsSchulG) states that all children who live in Saxony and turn 6 years old by June 30 of the current calendar year are required to attend school. Compulsory school attendance applies to every child. There is no difference between German and foreign children.
Before a child can go to school, it must be registered at an elementary school. Registration usually takes place from August to September in the year before a child turns 6 years old. The time and place of registration is announced publicly. Parents receive the information, for example, from the nursery or in the newspaper "Amtsblatt".
Parents can choose an elementary school in their school district. Registration takes place at the responsible city or municipal administration. If a child is to attend a private school, registration takes place directly at the school. Parents must bring their child's birth certificate with them when registering.
By law, all children must have a school entrance examination before starting school. You will be given an appointment for the examination. The examination takes place at the daycare center, the school or at the public health department. The examination is carried out by a special doctor from the public health department. At least one parent must attend the examination to answer the doctor's questions. You will be informed of the results of the examination. If the doctor finds any abnormalities, you will be referred to another doctor or advised on support measures, for example.
The examination is free of charge. The doctor will examine your child's development and all areas that are important for school attendance. This includes, for example
Height and weight
Visual and hearing abilities
Movement (balance)
speech
Logical thinking
vaccinations
Tip: Ask for more information at the daycare center, when registering for school or at the health department!
Contact:
Central Saxony District Office
Department of pediatric and adolescent medical services
Telephone: 03731 799-6437
E-Mail: gesundheit@landkreis-mittelsachsen.de
Internet: https://www.landkreis-mittelsachsen.de/das-amt/buergerservice/schulaufnahme-untersuchung.html