When my youngest son was born in Germany, I figured daycare would involve some paperwork and maybe a few months of waiting. What I did not expect was that finding a Kita (day care center) or Kindergarten spot in Germany would become my full-time job on maternity leave.
Even though children over the age of one have a legal right to childcare, many cities in Germany simply do not have enough spots to go around. Nationwide, the country is short about 300,000 Kita places. In cities like Berlin and Munich, the demand is so high that families often apply to 10 or more centers just to land one spot. In some regions, only 50 to 60 percent of children under three are actually placed. For me, I opened a site called Kitafinder and applied to literally every Kita within the city limits.
You’re legally entitled, but not guaranteed. The system is overwhelmed.
The Numbers Game
You have to apply as early as possible, sometimes even before your child is born. You might have an interview or two, send multiple follow-up emails, and still end up on waitlists with vague promises like “maybe next year.” I remember receiving numerous invitations to come view a facility, only to spend an hour touring, meeting the faculty, only to then be told to write down my information in their check in notebook and maybe, just maybe they would call us for an open spot. It’s a parental rite of passage, and a deeply frustrating one.
I know families who have taken temporary part-time jobs just to keep one parent at home while they wait for any kind of answer from the Kita network. I also know parents who got lucky right away and others who are still juggling babysitters, neighbors, and last-minute solutions long after parental leave ends, and parental leave here can go on as long as three years!
Cost Comparison: Germany vs the US
Now let’s talk numbers. In the US, I paid $2,000 per month for one child in daycare, in the state of Michigan. This was not the premium option, nor was it the cheapest. That was a pretty standard rate for full-time infant care in a major city, in the middle of the market.
Here in Germany? It’s dramatically different.
- Public daycare costs in many areas are income-based and heavily subsidized.
- In places like Berlin, Hamburg, and Rhineland-Palatinate, childcare is completely free for kids over a certain age, aside from lunch fees.
- In other parts of Germany, public daycare can cost as little as €100 to €200 per month per child.
- On average, families spend about €169 per month for full-time care. Some pay even less depending on income and municipality rules.
So while it may be nearly impossible to get in, once you do, you could be paying €200 for two kids instead of $4,000 in the US. (Even with the American, run-of-the-mill 10% discount for a sibling applied. Queue eye-roll.
The Catch
The affordability comes with a trade-off. The system is underfunded and understaffed. Many Kitas are short on educators, which limits how many kids they can take in. Some close rooms temporarily or reduce hours. Private Kitas are an option, but they often charge €900 to €1,700 per month, putting them on par with the lower tier US rates.
Even with the challenges, once you’re in a good Kita, it’s a dream. Small group sizes, warm meals, forest walks, and a strong focus on social development. It’s worth the chaos, but getting there is not for the faint of heart. In Munich, and I would imagine it is the case in other cities as well, you can even enroll your children in a wilderness Kita! This is literally what it sounds like. Picture care taking place outside where kids build forts, play in the woods, and build fires. Rain or shine. After all, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!”
Final Thoughts
In the US, childcare was financially unsustainable for us. In Germany, it’s financially accessible but logistically exhausting. If you’re an expat planning a move, get your childcare applications in early, connect with your local Jugendamt, and mentally prepare for the waiting game.
Moving or thinking about moving to Germany and need help navigating it all? I’ve been there. You can find more stories like this, plus resources, tips, and updates on my latest children’s books, here at claraharperbooks.com. Send me a contact request! I would be so pleased to set up a call to help you answer any questions you may have.
And if you’re in the thick of it, parenting without a Kita, wondering how you’ll survive the next snack meltdown, you’re not alone. My book Shame Is My Monster is here to help little ones process those big feelings, and maybe give you both a moment to breathe.
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