Family & Schools Overview

Finding childcare or a school place is often the first big challenge for families moving to Germany with children. This page maps out the options; each has its own detailed page.

If your child is around 5

At 5, your child is likely in a Kita’s oldest group (sometimes called the “Vorschulgruppe”), with Einschulung (starting Grundschule) usually the following year around age 6. This is exactly the right time to start looking into school registration and deciding between the public school system and international/private schools if you’re considering them — both processes should start 9–12 months ahead.

Quick Summary

Childcare and school places in Germany are usually arranged through your city or district, not directly with individual providers, and waiting lists can be long — registering early (sometimes before you’ve even moved) makes a real difference.

Childcare & School Options At A Glance

Option	Ages	Cost	Where To Start
Kita (daycare/kindergarten)	~1–6 years	Free to ~€600/month, depends heavily on state and city	City Kita portal or Jugendamt
Tagesmutter/Tagesvater	Mostly under 3	~€600/month, comparable to Kita in many cities	Local Kindertagespflege listings, Jugendamt
Public school (Grundschule onward)	From 6	Free	Your assigned school (Schulbezirk) or Schulamt
International/private schools	From ~3	€7,000–€27,000+/year	Direct application to the school, often 1+ year ahead

Who Needs This

• You have a child under 6 and need Kita or an alternative like a Tagesmutter
• You have a school-age (or nearly school-age) child and need to register for Grundschule or decide on a school type
• You’re relocating mid-school-year and need to transfer records
• You’re weighing public school against an international or private school for your family’s situation

How To Use These Pages

Childcare and schools are split into two groups in the sidebar: Early Childhood & Childcare (finding a Kita place, and alternatives like Tagesmutter) and Schools (the German school system explained, how to register/enroll, and international & private school options). Family Visa & Reunification covers bringing family members to Germany, which is a separate topic.

Important Note

Registration windows, fees, and available school types vary by state and even by city — always confirm specifics with your local Jugendamt, Kita, or Schulamt.