Daycare place and childcare voucher (Kita)

A place in a day care center or child day care often depends on the city where you live. The application process can be called a Kita-Gutschein, a registration, or a placement request, and the steps differ by municipality 12345.

Who needs this

• In Berlin, you need a Kita-Gutschein (child day care voucher) if your child should attend a Kita or child day care; you can use it in a publicly funded Berlin Kita or child day care place if there is a free spot 1.
• In Hamburg, you need a Kita-Gutschein for child day care. It is used for a place in a Kita, and the Kita can be chosen freely 2.
• In Köln, you can pre-register your child for a kindergarten place immediately after birth 3.
• In München, you can register your child in kita finder+ for a place in a child day care center 4.
• In Stuttgart, you contact the desired child day care center directly to register your child 5.

Step by step

• Berlin: Apply online with the online fill-in help or the application form, enter the child’s and caregivers’ details, print the PDF, have all caregivers sign it, and send it by post to the responsible Jugendamt or hand it in at the Familienservicebüro in your district. Then wait for the voucher by post and sign the care contract 1.
• Hamburg: Submit an initial application when your child has not yet used day care or when care was interrupted. You can send the signed application by post, fax, or email, or hand it in in person if the local office accepts it 2.
• Köln: Register online or in writing at the chosen Kita. If there is no place there, you may be offered another place or child day care 3.
• München: Create a personal account in kita finder+ and apply there, or apply directly at the chosen Kita. You can apply to several facilities 4.
• Stuttgart: Contact the Kita management, clarify the registration process and deadlines, and arrange the required medical examination documents before admission 5.

Documents

• Berlin: application for a Kita-Gutschein, proof of consent from the other caregiver if needed, a copy of the foster care contract for a foster child, registration certificate if there is a blocking notice, and for expanded care needs or children under one year, proof that you cannot care for the child yourself 1.
• Hamburg: completed signed application, completed signed questionnaire on financial circumstances for care over 5 hours, copies of the caregivers’ ID or passport, income proof for care over 5 hours, and further proof of daily working or course times if care is over 5 hours or for children under 1 year 2.
• München: for the measles proof, the yellow child health booklet or vaccination record, or a doctor’s certificate of immunity or medical contraindication, or confirmation from the previous facility 4.
• Stuttgart: medical examination certificate, proof of vaccination counseling, and proof of measles protection by vaccination record or medical confirmation 5.

Cost and time

• Berlin: no fees; average processing time 6-8 weeks 1.
• Hamburg: fees are listed on the city service page 2.
• Köln: no fees for the registration 3.
• München: online registration is free 4.
• Stuttgart: the page says parental contributions or fees vary and may depend on income, number of children, and care time 5.

Deadlines

• Berlin: the first application should be submitted no earlier than 9 months and no later than 2 months before the planned start of care; there is no deadline for extending the scope of care 1.
• Hamburg: the initial application can be submitted half a year before care begins; the approval period can start no earlier than the date the application is received 2.
• Köln: children can be pre-registered immediately after birth 3.
• München: for the regular first allocation, registration for the 2027/2028 Kita year starts on 4 March 2027; if no place is available at the desired start, the registration remains valid for five more months 4.

City by city

• Berlin: the responsible office is the Jugendamt of the district where you live 1.
• Hamburg: the child must have its main residence in Hamburg, and for more than 5 hours of care or for children under 1 year, additional proof of work, training, language course, integration course, or similar need may be required 2.
• Köln: a place in a municipal Kita is available only for children registered in Köln between 1 and 6 years of age; at least one parent or caregiver must have their first residence in Köln for an offer to be made 3.
• München: children must show measles vaccination proof, and the online registration in kita finder+ is free 4.
• Stuttgart: the facility or its operator issues the medical examination form, and a care contract is concluded before admission 5.