Kitas

Kita is a German abbreviation for “Kindertagesstätte,” which translates to “daycare centre” in English.
In Germany, Kita is a term used to refer to preschool or early childhood education facilities that offer care and education for children aged 0-6 years old.
These facilities are usually run by the government, religious or private organizations and follow a structured curriculum aimed at promoting children’s learning and development.
It is not mandatory to send your child to a Kita.

Types of Kitas

Nurseries or Kinderkrippe – for children between the ages of 1 and 3 years
Kindergarten – Children between the ages of 3 and 6 years
Tagesmutter
After-school – Primary school children after-school care

Finding a place at a Kita

When you have legal residence in Germany, and are registered at your Town (Bürgeramt Meldepflight), your children between the ages of 1 and 6 years, have a legal right to a childcare placement. Although this is the law, there is a serious shortage of available childcare placements. The city has 3 months to find a placement for your child. If they fail to do so, you can sue them for the costs of a Tagesmutter or other costs incurred for day care. You can also sue for the loss of income if you are unable to work because you cannot find a placement for your child at a Kita. There are companies who specialise in assisting you with this. One such company is KeinKitaPlatz. Please note that you also have a responsibility to apply for a placement well in advance
To find a Kita close to you, look on the following websites:

You can also look on church websites or official town or Federal state websites. Alternatively, search Kita + “your town” on the internet.
Here are some examples

Kitas Stuttgart
Kindertageseinrichtungen in Baden-Württemberg
Evangelische Kindertageseinrichtungen in Stuttgart
Kitas Hamburg
Kita Finder München
Kita navigator Berlin
Find a childcare place in Frankfurt

Your options for finding a placement while still outside of Germany are very limited. You can ask for assistance at the Migration Centre in your area. To find a centre close to you look on the The Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) website. Another option is to contact the Jugendmigrationsdienste (JMD), which assists young people with a migration background aged between 12 and 27 with their integration process in Germany.

If you cannot find a place for your child, or would rather have your child looked after in a small group or separately, you can also hire a childminder (Tagesmutter), a surrogate granny/grandpa (Leih-Oma/Leih-Opa) or an au pair to look after your child. However, childminders, surrogate grannies/grandpas and au pairs are usually not trained in childcare.

A childminder usually looks after several children at the same time at his or her home. As with a Kita place, you can receive financial support for the service provided by a childminder. You can contact your Youth Welfare Office or the local administration and ask them to help you find a suitable place. You will also find the application forms for financial support on the site.

Another option is to find a “surrogate grandmother” or “Leih-Oma”. A “Leih-Oma” is an elderly woman who takes care of a family’s children -usually as a mini-job. A surrogate grandmother is often involved in family life like a real one, and her service is usually more affordable than a childminder. There are, of course, also surrogate grandfathers or “Leih-Opas”.
An au pair is a young person from abroad who comes to Germany for a few months to get to know the language and the country. An Au Pair lives with you and helps you in the household, including in child care.

You can search for a childminder, surrogate grandmothers/ grandfathers and au pairs for your children on www.betreut.de, where you can register and search for a suitable option for free.

Fees and subsidies

The costs of daycare depend on the following factors:

How many hours will your child spend in daycare?
The family’s income – the more you earn, the more you have to pay.
The number of siblings in daycare – Discounts are offered when you have more than one child in daycare.

Day-care centres that are run or sponsored by municipalities are usually cheaper compared to private day-care centres. State subsidies apply in some of the Federal states.

If you cannot afford the fees, you can apply for a Kita Gutschein at the Jugendamt or Youth Welfare office.

School information

School Information

The German School system is quite unique and distinguishes itself from the South African models in a number of ways Schulpflicht In Germany, Schulpflicht (compulsory schooling) requires children to attend school, ensuring they receive a structured education. In Germany, there is no unified national school law, and the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) does not explicitly regulate Schulpflicht (compulsory schooling). Instead, each Bundesland (federal state) determines its own rules regarding the duration and starting age of compulsory education. Generally, children must start school at the age of six, but the exact cutoff date varies, meaning some children may begin between the ages of five and seven.Compulsory schooling is typically divided into two phases: full-time compulsory education and part-time (vocational) education. The full-time phase includes Grundschule (primary school) and secondary education (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gesamtschule, or Gymnasium) and lasts between nine and ten years, depending on the state. After this period, students who do not continue in school but start vocational training are required to attend a Berufsschule (vocational school). This part-time schooling obligation usually lasts three years, aligning with the duration of an apprenticeship. As a result, in most federal states, compulsory education extends beyond a student’s 18th birthday, lasting until the end of the school year or the completion of vocational training. Homeschooling is not permitted in Germany, as education laws mandate attendance at an officially recognized school. The legal foundation for Schulpflicht is found in Article 7 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) and detailed further in each state’s Schulgesetz (School Law). Parents who fail to comply may face fines or legal consequences. For specific regulations, refer to the Schulgesetze of the respective Bundesland or the German Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK): Types of schools There are different types of schools to choose from in Germany. The main system is Public schooling, but if There are different types of schools to choose from in Germany. The German public school system is renowned for its comprehensive approach to education. Students from all backgrounds have access to free education. Other options are: Montessori Waldorf schools, based on Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical human studies. They are state-approved or state recognised independent schools. Jenaplan-Schulen The Catholic church also runs many Schools. International schools in most big cities. Finding a school The local Bürgerampt should be able to provide you with information about schools in your region. For international schools, you can use the following links to search Agis-schools (Association of German International Schools) International-schools-germany Germany’s education system Article 7 of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany) states the following: The entire school system shall be under the supervision of the state. Parents and guardians shall have the right to decide whether children shall receive religious instruction. Religious instruction shall form part of the regular curriculum in state schools, with the exception of non-denominational schools. Without prejudice to the state’s right of supervision, religious instruction shall be given in accordance with the tenets of the religious community concerned. Teachers may not be obliged against their will to give religious instruction. The right to establish private schools shall be guaranteed. Private schools that serve as alternatives to state schools shall require the approval of the state and shall be subject to the laws of the Länder. Such approval shall be given when private schools are not inferior to the state schools in terms of their educational aims, their facilities or the professional training of their teaching staff and when segregation of pupils according to the means of their parents will not be encouraged thereby. Approval shall be withheld if the economic and legal position of the teaching staff is not adequately assured. A private elementary school shall be approved only if the education authority finds that it serves a special educational interest or if, on the application of parents or guardians, it is to be established as a denominational or interdenominational school or as a school based on a particular philosophy and no state elementary school of that type exists in the municipality. Preparatory schools shall remain abolished. Education is primarily the responsibility of the individual Federal States (Bundesländer). Each state has its own Ministry of Education which are responsible for the education policies and legislation. This includes the curriculum and teacher qualification requirements. The School Stages The German education system has 5 Stages. The Secondary School Stage In Germany, the schools system sorts children into educational paths very early on and children have to make their future education choices at a young age. One major decision that parents and students will face is choosing the right secondary school. This choice will have a significant impact on a student’s academic and career opportunities, as well as their personal and social development. In Germany, there are several types of secondary schools to consider, each with different focuses and strengths. It is important to research and understand the curriculum, graduation requirements, and admission processes for each school in order to make an informed decision. Each type of school caters to students with different academic abilities and career aspirations. The German school system also places a strong emphasis on vocational education and training. This ensures that students who prefer hands-on learning have plenty of opportunities to further their careers. A South African Grade 12 could be equal to a German Abitur, depending on your subjects and marks (Note) and possibly the Bundesland. At a minimum, it should be equivalent to a Realschulabschluss/mittlere Reife. To find out if your South African qualification allows you to study at a German University, enter your details on the Anabin Website Pupils are graded based on 6 marks: very good good satisfactory level adequate poor very poor. Fun Facts On a child’s first day of school, they take along “Schultüte”, which is a decorated paper cone filled with sweets and small presents Depending on the Federal State, most children start school in August/September of the year that they turn 6 years old For young school children, having a trendy backpack is more important than the clothes they wear Every

Flying with Children

Flying with Children Travelling with small kids can be an amazing experience but also quite a task especially when it involves long flights. One of the key aspects to consider while planning such trips is the sleep schedule of your children. A poorly planned flight routine can lead to a lot of stress, not just for the little ones, but also for the parents. With some thoughtful planning, you are sure to have a fantastic trip together. Comfort Comfort is key! Make sure your child is dressed in cosy clothes for the flight, and pack extra outfits if needed. Schedule Align flight times with nap or bedtimes to minimize stress and exhaustion. Duration One of the biggest challenges with children is that they have no real understanding of time. This can be particularly challenging during long flights. Entertainment It’s always a good idea to pack plenty of activities, games, and toys to keep your little ones entertained. Food and Drink Don’t forget to pack healthy munchies and drinks for your child – it’s always a smart idea to stay hydrated while flying. Familiarity Pack a favourite stuffed animal, a blanket, a special toy, or any other item your child finds comforting. This can provide a sense of security and familiarity in an unfamiliar place. Helpful tips to make flying with children a easier Flights Direct flights are generally more expensive but can be less stressful when travelling with small children. When searching for flights, check the airline’s website to learn what services they offer for children. If you’re travelling as a family, it’s worth considering pre-booked seats. Without them, sitting together at check-in is not guaranteed. If there’s a last-minute change to the type of plane, your booking only guarantees the seat category (e.g., window, aisle, extra legroom) and not the specific seat. If the airline cannot provide your seat category, you may be eligible for a refund. Research the airline’s family-friendly services. Do they provide strollers at the airport, facilities to warm bottles, baby-changing stations, bassinets, kids’ entertainment, kids’ meals, special seats, priority boarding, etc.? Some airlines even carry spare nappies for emergencies. Compare airlines to find the best luggage allowance options. Additionally, confirm the age at which a child is required to pay for a full seat on the airline Unaccompanied Minors Children may be eligible to fly unaccompanied, but the age requirements vary by airline. As an example from Lufthansa, children between 5 and 11 can only fly if accompanied by someone aged 12 or older, or if they are using the Lufthansa care service. Parents can book the Lufthansa care service for unaccompanied children aged 12 to 17. This service provides support, especially during disruptions like flight delays or cancellations. Tickets for unaccompanied children cannot be booked online and must be arranged through service centres. Consider booking direct flights to make travel easier for the child. Luggage Organise your hand luggage in such a way that you can easily find items you or the children might need during the flight. Confirm with the airline what baggage regulations apply to infants and small children. Hand luggage for infants is sometimes included in the adult allowance. If your child can bring hand luggage with them, it might be a good idea to have it as a small backpack that they can put under the seat in front of them. This way you don’t have to open the overhead locker each time someone wants something from their bag. Comfort on board Ensuring your child is comfortable during the flight by dressing them in cosy clothes and bringing a favourite blanket or pillow can make all the difference. Small children tend to cry during take-off and landing, due to the change in cabin pressure. To help elevate the pain in their ears, give them something to suck on like a lollypop or something to chew on. If they are old enough you can consider buying them earplugs that help equalising the air pressure in their ears. An example is SANOHRA Fly for Kids Bring along a comforting toy and something to keep them busy like colouring in with crayons or board games. There are movies and games on most long-haul flights If so inclined, talk to your doctor about something you can give them to help them calm down and sleep. Remember they are swept up in the excitement and have no concept of how long the flight is, and my personal opinion is, that it is better to have something to help them relax and make the journey better for them. It can be cold inside the plane, so always pack in some warm clothes. During taxi, take-off, landing and turbulence, passengers, including children must wear a safety belt. Prepare your child for this beforehand. Babies may not use the bassinets during taxi, take-off, landing and turbulent weather conditions. If the airline allows it, consider taking a carrier along. If they can’t sleep or get sick, it helps to put them in it and walk up and down the aisle. A good example is the Manduca Babytrage Some airlines allow the use of child restraint systems, child car seats or baby carriers to make your child comfortable and secure. Check beforehand with your airline whether your child restraint system is suitable. Example information from Lufthansa – “Child restraint systems that consist only of belts attached over and/or around the backrest of the seat cannot be used on board. The child restraint system must only be attached using the seat’s lap belt. There is no possibility of attaching ISOFIX equipment.” Entertainment One of the most important things to consider is packing enough snacks and entertainment for your kids. Bring plenty of age-appropriate books, toys, and games. Many parents suggested stickers to keep them busy, just make sure if they stick it to the tray table, they can be easily removed. Water reveal drawing – Painting for kids without spills. You can search online for “Wassermalbuch” Here are examples on Amazon. Avoid toys with small removable parts. When it falls on the ground you will not

Parental allowance in Germany (Elterngeld)

Financial security for your growing family. Because those first moments matter the most. Elterngeld, also known as Parental Allowance, is designed to compensate for the loss of income when parents take time off work or reduce their working hours to care for their newborn or newly adopted child. This benefit aims to give parents the financial flexibility to spend quality time with their child during the first crucial months of life. As new parents, both you and your partner are entitled to Germany’s generous parental allowance.If you or your partner has recently had a child, you may be eligible to receive parental allowance (Elterngeld). This benefit, funded by the German social security system, is given to all new parents to cushion the loss of earnings caused by the birth of a child.To encourage both parents to spend time with their new baby, the German federal government has adopted a Scandinavian-style policy whereby the entitlement to parental allowance can be shared between the child’s parents. The benefit therefore enables both you and your partner to take time off work to spend time with your new child. Requirements for parental allowance To be eligible for parental allowance, you need to fulfil the following criteria: You look after your child from birth yourself. You do no more than 30 hours’ paid work per week while you are receiving the allowance. You live together with your child in the same house. You are a German / EU / EEA citizen, or you hold a permanent residence permit, or a residence permit that entitles you to work in Germany. You and your partner’s combined annual income does not exceed 500.000 euros (or 250.000 euros for single parents). You can also claim parental allowance if you look after a child immediately from birth, even if it is not your own, and if you adopt a child (up to eight years old). How much parental allowance will I receive? The parental allowance is intended to replace the income you received before the birth. The amount you receive is therefore based on your income over the 12 months immediately before the baby was born, including any income-replacement benefits like the child sickness benefit: Previous monthly income Allowance (% of previous income) Less than 1.000 euros 67 – 100% 1.000 euros to 1.220 euros 67% 1.220 euros to 1.240 euros 67 – 65% More than 1.240 euros 65% The minimum amount of parental allowance is 300 euros and the maximum amount is 1.800 euros monthly. So even if you have not worked before you give birth, you will still receive the minimum amount of 300 euros p/m. Families with two or more children can receive a monthly bonus of 10%, or 75 euros, whichever is greater.For multiple births (i.e. if you have twins or triplets), parental allowance increases by 300 euros each month for each additional child. You can claim parental allowance for at least two and a maximum of 12 months. If both parents are claiming parental allowance, an additional two months of benefit payments is granted. Parents who are sharing parental allowance can receive benefits one after the other or both at the same time, up to a shared total of 14 months (i.e. if you and your partner both claim parental allowance for a period of seven months, you will use up your 14-month allowance). Note that if you are receiving parental allowance, it will be deducted as income from any unemployment benefit II or supplementary child allowance payments you may be receiving. Parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus) Since 2015, parents who wish to return to work sooner can also opt for a scheme called ElterngeldPlus. This enables any parent eligible for parental allowance to spread the benefit payments over a longer period of time, by receiving half of the regular parental allowance over a maximum period of 24 months. During this time, you are only entitled to work a maximum of 30 hours per week in order to remain eligible for the parental allowance. It is also possible to combine regular parental allowance with ElterngeldPlus, to suit your family situation. Partnership bonus If both parents work simultaneously for 25 – 30 hours per week for four consecutive months, each parent will receive four additional months of ElterngeldPlus payments. You can still apply for this bonus if you and your partner live separately. Single parents can also claim the bonus by working for 25 – 30 hours per week for four months. How to apply for parental allowance You can apply for the parental allowance online via the ElterngeldDigital portal (in German) The website also includes an Elterngeld calculator that gives you an idea of how much parental allowance you’ll receive. You need to apply for the parental allowance by submitting an application to your local parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle). You will need to fill out an application form, and also bring along the following documents: Your child’s birth certificate Valid identification ( identity card or a passport) Proof of income, (employment contract or statements from your bank account) Details of maternity benefit (if applicable) Once you have submitted your application, it usually takes around four weeks to process and to receive a written decision per mail. Author: Martjie Louw Elterngeld vs Kindergeld Kindergeld is a long-term, universal benefit paid to families with children, regardless of income. Elterngeld is a short-term benefit aimed at compensating parents for lost income when they take time off work to care for a young child. Related content

Having a baby in Germany

Having a baby in Germany Thinking of starting or expanding your family in Germany? Luckily, the standard of German healthcare is very high, and Germany has great maternity and paternity benefits. Still, there are some differences between having a baby in Germany versus giving birth in South Africa that are good to be aware of upfront. Below gives an overview of what to expect for parents-to-be and what the process is. Health insurance The first step for any expectant mother should be to make sure that you are covered by German health insurance. Public health insurance provides comprehensive coverage for expectant mothers, everything from check-ups to childbirth. If you have private health insurance, you should check with your provider to see what is covered. Prenatal care in Germany (Schwangerschaftsvorsorge) If you discover you’re pregnant, your first step should be to make an appointment with your gynaecologist (Frauenarzt). This appointment normally takes place around eight weeks after conception. If you are employed, you can request a confirmation of pregnancy (Schwangerschaftsbestätigung) to present to your employer. You should tell your boss about your pregnancy not later than three months after it is verified, so that he/she has enough time to find a substitute for you. Once you notify your employer of your pregnancy, your Maternity Protection kicks in. At this point, your gynaecologist will also give you a document called a Mutterpass (mother’s passport). In the Mutterpass the doctor will note everything from your future appointments, tests, health information and due date, so you need to bring this document to any future appointments as well as to the hospital when you give birth. After this, you will attend 12 regular check-up appointments: one every four weeks until week 32 and then every two weeks thereafter. (more if you have a complicated pregnancy or become overdue, in which case the doctor might want to see you every second day.) . In addition to the normal scans, which take place at nearly every gynaecologist visit, most people get an anatomy ultrasound (Feindiagnostik) or 3D scan. Your doctor should recommend a specialist around the 25th week for this. You will receive a referral and can usually make an appointment fairly quickly. This scan is a fascinating chance to see your baby in the flesh and diagnose serious issues. Near the end of the pregnancy, CTG (electronic fetal monitor, EFM) scans will be added. These external monitors measure Braxton-Hicks contractions and heart rate and take about an hour. If you are employed, your employer is obliged to give you time off to attend these appointments. Routine care usually includes: Ultrasounds Urine analysis Blood pressure checks Weigh-ins Blood tests Pelvic exams Pregnant women in Germany also have the option of having a possible chromosomal disorder in their baby diagnosed via a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT). For a NIPT, a blood sample from the pregnant woman is examined. Currently, it is being debated in parliament whether your health insurance should cover this test, but at the time of writing this, you have to pay for it yourself. A Schwangerschaftsdiabetes test (for gestational diabetes) is administered between 24 and 28 weeks. Though this only affects between 2 to 14 per cent of pregnant women, it can significantly complicate a pregnancy. The glucose tolerance test is simple. After some light fasting, you must drink a syrupy mixture (50g glucose in 200 ml water), and after an hour, a blood sample is taken to check your blood sugar level and see if your body has processed it appropriately. If the reading is too high (which happens 15 to 23 per cent of the time), a similar three-hour test is administered. Most women don’t turn out to have gestational diabetes. And even if you do, it is simply a matter of management, with most babies unaffected and the condition disappearing soon after birth. You will also be offered 2 toxoplasmosis tests during your pregnancy which currently is not covered by statutory health insurance. Helpful links: Pregnancy scans in Germany Struggling to fall pregnant. Struggling to fall pregnant and you have been trying for a year? If you are younger than 35, the costs for the investigations of the causes for your infertility will be covered 100 % by your health insurance. If you are above 35, then the time you have had to try to conceive naturally gets reduced to 6 months. There after what your health insurance covers for the actual treatment depends on the treatment, your marital status and the type of insurance you have.Read more on fertility treatment and cost here. Choosing a hospital In Germany, you have three options for giving birth: In a hospital At a birthing house At home Some hospitals require you to book way in advance, even as early as 13 weeks into the pregnancy, while others only take registrations two months before your due date, so make sure to find out when you need to register at your preferred hospital to avoid disappointment or having to do paperwork between contractions. Most hospitals offer an information evening (Infoabend), during which prospective patients can have a look around the facilities, meet with the staff and ask questions. Some hospitals offer private family rooms at an additional cost (ranging from 60 euros p/n to 150 euros p/n if you prefer more privacy after the birth, while others have shared rooms. If you would like a family room, it is best to book in advance. You will need your Mutterpass, your passport, and possibly a copy of your birth certificate (and marriage certificate if you are married) when doing the registration. Where you give birth is a very personal choice. Here are some pros and cons. 1. Hospital birth options: While delivery rooms are almost all equipped with the traditional hospital bed, many also have an alternative available to aid in more comfortable labour. Some delivery rooms has jacuzzi tubs for water births, king-sized beds allowing dads to take an active role in the delivery or