Survival German #7
Childcare (Kita) and school in Germany run on their own systems, vouchers and long waitlists. Here’s how enrolment works and the German to navigate it.
How it actually works
- For under-6s, apply for a Kita-Platz (daycare spot) as early as possible — demand far outstrips supply, and some cities use an online portal.
- You may need a Kita-Gutschein (childcare voucher) from the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) confirming your entitlement and hours.
- Visit Kitas, get on waitlists, and confirm a place with a Betreuungsvertrag (care contract).
- For school age (usually 6+), your child is assigned a Grundschule (primary school) by catchment area — register at the school with your Anmeldung and the child’s documents.
- Celebrate the Einschulung (first day of school) — a big German milestone, complete with a Schultüte (cone of treats).
The German you’ll need
Ich suche einen Kita-Platz. — I’m looking for a daycare spot.
Gibt es noch freie Plätze? — Are there still free spots?
Ab welchem Alter? — From what age?
Wie sind die Öffnungszeiten? — What are the opening hours?
Ich möchte mein Kind anmelden. — I’d like to enrol my child.
Welche Unterlagen brauchen Sie? — Which documents do you need?
At the counter: a real dialogue
Anna: Guten Tag, ich suche einen Kita-Platz für meinen Sohn.
Hello, I’m looking for a daycare spot for my son.
Leiterin: Wie alt ist er denn?
How old is he?
Anna: Drei Jahre. Gibt es noch freie Plätze?
Three years. Are there still free spots?
Leiterin: Ab September vielleicht. Haben Sie einen Kita-Gutschein?
From September maybe. Do you have a childcare voucher?
Anna: Ja, den habe ich vom Jugendamt.
Yes, I have it from the youth office.
Leiterin: Sehr gut. Möchten Sie die Kita besichtigen?
Very good. Would you like to visit the daycare?
Anna: Gern. Wie sind die Öffnungszeiten?
Gladly. What are the opening hours?
Leiterin: Von sieben bis siebzehn Uhr.
From seven to five.
Vocabulary
| Deutsch | English |
|---|---|
| die Kita | daycare / nursery |
| der Kita-Platz | daycare spot |
| der Kita-Gutschein | childcare voucher |
| das Jugendamt | youth welfare office |
| die Grundschule | primary school |
| die Einschulung | first day of school |
| die Schultüte | school cone (treats) |
| die Öffnungszeiten | opening hours |
| der Betreuungsvertrag | care contract |
Quick check
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Quick check
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Nervous about speaking German at the Kita? Rehearse this exact situation with a patient native tutor before you go — one lesson can turn dread into confidence.
Practise with a tutor on italki →Insider tips
- Apply for a Kita-Platz absurdly early — in some cities parents apply before the birth. Waitlists are long.
- The Kita-Gutschein from the Jugendamt sets how many hours you’re entitled to — sort it before you tour Kitas.
- Primary school is usually by catchment area (your address decides the school), so your Anmeldung matters here too.
- The Einschulung and Schultüte are lovely traditions — your child gets a cone of sweets and supplies on day one.
- Ask about Schließzeiten (closure periods) — Kitas close for holidays, which affects your work planning.
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