The Kita System in Germany Explained
Krippe, Kindergarten, Hort, Träger, Jugendamt – the German day-care system has its own logic and its own words. This guide explains how it works, who runs a Kita, what the legal entitlement means and how child protection is organised.
For a step-by-step route, see our learning pathway “Working in a German Kita” and the free German–English glossary.
Krippe, Kindergarten, Hort – the main forms
Federal law speaks of day-care facilities (Tageseinrichtungen): facilities where children stay for part of the day or all day and are supported in groups. Next to them stands childminding (Kindertagespflege) by a suitable childminder (section 22(1) SGB VIII). How the two are distinguished, and further details, are regulated by the law of the federal states.
“Kita” (Kindertageseinrichtung or Kindertagesstätte) is the everyday umbrella word; many Kitas have mixed-age groups. (everyday terms, not separate legal categories)
The legal mission covers education, upbringing and care (Bildung, Erziehung und Betreuung) and supports the child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development (section 22(3) SGB VIII).
Who runs a Kita? Providers (Träger)
German youth welfare is marked by a diversity of providers with different values and working methods (section 3(1) SGB VIII). Services are delivered by independent providers (freie Träger) and public providers (öffentliche Träger), but the legal obligations are addressed to the public youth welfare providers (section 3(2) SGB VIII). Public providers should refrain from running their own services where recognised independent providers run suitable ones or can set them up in time (section 4(2) SGB VIII).
In practice you may work for a municipality, a welfare or church organisation, a parent initiative or another association. (general professional knowledge, not a legal rule) Every Kita needs an operating licence (Betriebserlaubnis) for the facility (section 45 SGB VIII). Funding is mainly the responsibility of the federal states and municipalities; the federal government supports, for example through the KiTa-Qualitätsgesetz (BMBFSFJ).
The legal entitlement (section 24 SGB VIII)
- Under one year: a child should be supported in a Kita or in childminding if this is needed for its development or if the parents work, are looking for work or are in education or training (section 24(1)).
- From the first to the third birthday: entitlement to early childhood support in a Kita or in childminding (section 24(2)) – in force since 2013 (BMBFSFJ).
- From the third birthday until school entry: entitlement to support in a Kita (section 24(3)).
- Primary school: children who start first grade in the 2026/2027 school year or later are entitled to all-day support of eight hours on working days until the beginning of grade 5 (section 24(4)); the federal states may set closing times of up to four weeks a year during school holidays.
The entitlement is directed at the public youth welfare provider (section 3(2) SGB VIII), usually represented by the local youth welfare office (Jugendamt). The extent of daily support depends on individual need.
Education plans of the 16 federal states
Each federal state has its own education plan for early childhood (Bildungsplan, sometimes called Bildungsprogramm or Bildungsempfehlungen). A common framework agreed by the youth and education ministers of the states (2004, updated 2021/2022) sets out shared principles; the state plans make it concrete, with different degrees of binding force. Each Kita links the plan to its own pedagogical concept (Konzeption), and systematic observation and documentation are seen as essential for putting the plans into practice (JFMK & KMK, 2022).
Child protection (section 8a SGB VIII)
Agreements between the youth welfare office and Kita providers make sure that, when staff become aware of significant indications that a child’s wellbeing is at risk:
- the professionals carry out a risk appraisal,
- an experienced child-protection specialist (insoweit erfahrene Fachkraft) is consulted,
- parents and the child are involved – unless this would jeopardise the child’s effective protection,
- staff encourage the parents to accept help, and inform the youth welfare office if the risk cannot be averted otherwise (section 8a(4) SGB VIII).
For you this means: follow your Kita’s protection concept, document what you observed and inform your management straight away. In acute danger call the emergency services (112) or the police (110). Providers check an extended criminal record extract (erweitertes Führungszeugnis) of their staff; this follows from section 72a and, via the operating licence, section 45(3) SGB VIII.
Settling-in (Eingewöhnung)
Starting at a Kita is a gradual process: a parent stays with the child at first, a key educator (Bezugsfachkraft) builds a relationship, and the time apart grows step by step. Well-known approaches are the Berlin, Munich and Tübingen models. (general professional knowledge, not a legal rule)
Start the learning pathway: Working in a German Kita – your learning pathway in English → 19 self-study courses in 4 steps. Plus: German–English Kita Glossary (PDF, free).
Trained abroad? Whether your profession is regulated in your federal state is shown in the Recognition Finder (anerkennung-in-deutschland.de); see also make-it-in-germany.com. Our self-study courses do not replace recognition and make no promises about it.
10 self-study courses in English: Early Childhood Education
See all English Early Childhood Education (Kita) courses →
System and law
Everyday practice
More guides in English
Prices · 12-month access to all self-study courses
Free 14-day trial for teams, invoice and more than 20 people → · Questions? Contact us →
Questions
No. Kitas belong to child and youth welfare (SGB VIII), not to the school system. Supervision and many details are regulated by the federal states.
When you have marked all modules of a course as done, you can download a confirmation of participation for that course.
Sources
Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Achtes Buch (VIII) – Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (§§ 3, 4, 8a, 22, 24, 45, 72a). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/
Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend. (n.d.). Ausbau der Kindertagesbetreuung: Gesetze und Investitionsprogramme. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.bmbfsfj.bund.de/bmbfsfj/themen/familie/kinderbetreuung/ausbau-der-kindertagesbetreuung-gesetze-und-investitionsprogramme-86394
Jugend- und Familienministerkonferenz & Kultusministerkonferenz. (2022). Gemeinsamer Rahmen der Länder für die frühe Bildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen (Beschluss der JMK vom 13./14.05.2004 und der KMK vom 03./04.06.2004 i. d. F. vom 06.05.2021 und 24.03.2022). https://www.kmk.org/fileadmin/Dateien/veroeffentlichungen_beschluesse/2004/2004_06_03-Fruehe-Bildung-Kindertageseinrichtungen.pdf
Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung. (n.d.). Recognition in Germany: Information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php
Make it in Germany. (n.d.). Make it in Germany [Website; linked for official information]. https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/
GermanSocialLab offers self-study courses with voluntary self-reflection (not graded) and a confirmation of participation after working through all modules. Legal status: 26 October 2026. This guide describes the situation in Germany in general terms; it provides professional information and does not constitute legal advice or recognition advice. Rules can differ between the 16 federal states (Länder) and between employers – always follow your employer’s procedures and ask the competent authority. Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.