Childcare, schooling and the school system in Germany

If you are coming to Germany as an expat with your family, the question immediately arises as to how and where your children can be looked after.
Children from the age of one have a legal right to a childcare place in Germany. For children up to the age of three, crèches, childminders, toddler groups, play circles or mixed-age kindergartens are all viable options. From the age of three, they can go to kindergartens or other preschool facilities. It is important to register the children early in order to take advantage of the childcare services on offer. Sometimes places are scarce due to the large number of interested parents. It is advisable to enquire about available places as soon as possible.

In Germany, parents are entitled to claim child benefit until the child’s 18th birthday. Citizens of EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are equally entitled to claim child benefit in the same way as Germans if they are employed in Germany or live in Germany. Citizens of other countries who hold a residence permit are only entitled to claim child benefit if they are also entitled to work in Germany or have already worked here.

The City of Düsseldorf provides information about various day-care facilities for children (known as Kindertageseinrichtungen or Kitas) on its website. The main information and advice platform for questions relating to childcare is called ‘i-Punkt Familie’. Day-care facilities in Düsseldorf can be found in the Kita-Navigator. ‘Zukunftswerkstatt Düsseldorf (ZWD)’ also provides support and advice for the care of children under the age of three.

In the County of Mettmann, the youth welfare offices (Jugendämter) in its ten towns provide support and information on available childcare facilities and financing options.