Nursery (Kinderkrippe) in Germany [2024] - Navigate Germany

A new rule is introduced in Germany that every child has the right to attend preschool after their first birthday. So, start finding a place in a Kinderkrippe for your child.

Kinderkrippe

Kinderkrippe is a daycare center for children of age 1 to 3 years. Working mothers take parental leave for one year to look after their newborn after which they have to rejoin their work. That time they can send their child to these nurseries in Germany. 

Most of these daycare centers are Private and you have to pay to get services. If you are a registered catholic and pay Church tax, you can look for a nursery run by the church. You can find local or state owned kinderkrippe depending upon your area of residence.

A Day at Kinderkrippe

A day at Creche consists of “Free playing time” in which your child roams free and decides where to go, what to play, and with whom to play. These daycares encourage children to explore and try themselves. These plays are always supervised to find the child’s strength so that they help them develop communication skills and learn how to get along with other children.

There are some outdoor activities including singing songs, role playing, rhyming poems, playing musical instruments and reading pictorial books. Newborns are like sponges, learning 24/7, so it is easier for them to learn German in such nurseries.

Staff members divide them into groups depending upon their level of understanding and development. They make separate groups for crawling babies and the ones who have started walking so they can learn from each other.

Parents must inquire during their first visit if food is provided or not. So, they can manage accordingly.

Benefits of kinderkrippe (Cresche)

Children learn to socialize from the beginning and enter into the process of two way learning. They speak and interact faster compared to the other children. Groups are small so that every child gets the best care.

Right Time to Look For Kinderkrippe

Due to the high demand of daycare centers, you must register your child in advance or even before they are born. You can also sign up at multiple daycare centers to enhance chances of admission. Get an appointment with the administrator to register your child. You need to present documents to verify address and identity. Take your driving license, passport, and other documentation to show your name and address. The birth certificate of the child is also necessary.

Kinderkrippe Costs

The cost of a nursery varies for each municipality as some are financed by the public funds. The pricing depends on the locality, area, environment, parent’s earning, and if the facility is private or public.

Cost Reduction for Parents Receiving State Benefits

If you are receiving unemployment benefit II or social assistance, you might be entitled for the reduction of nursery fees. Apply to the Youth Welfare (Jugendamt) office for reduction of the childcare costs. 

English Speaking Kinderkrippe

If you live in an area with a lot of internationals, you can find an international nursery. You can check the reviews on google, if reviews are in English or with non German names, then they speak English. Otherwise, most of them are German.

How To Choose a Kinderkrippe?

To inquire for daycare services near you, contact the Youth Welfare (Jugendamt) office of your area. Get recommendations from neighbors, friends and colleagues. Consider the following factors:

• Activities
• English-speaking staff
• Food availability
• Location
• Opening hours
• Outdoor space

Some of Kinderkrippe operates half day (morning to noon) while others operate full day (mornings to late afternoon), so select the timings that suits your schedule. 

Final Words

Kinderkrippe is an ideal option for working mothers to rejoin work after 1 year of parental leave. In nursery, children learn things faster which boost learning capabilities. The staff focuses on activities and learning games to increase their communication, social, and interaction skills.