Kita-Anmeldung in Berlin

As early as possible. Many Kitas in Berlin have waiting lists of 12 to 24 months, especially in popular districts. The general advice is to register your interest before your child is born or as soon as you know you will need a place.

There is no central application system in Berlin. Each Kita manages its own waiting list. You apply directly to each Kita individually. Most Kitas have an online form or ask you to email or call. Some require an in-person visit before accepting your application.

Spielwiese has a directory of over 2,500 Kitas in Berlin with contact details, hours, and parent reviews.

Krippe is for children aged 0 to 3. Kindergarten is for ages 3 to 6. Some Kitas offer both. There are state-run Kitas (städtisch), church-run Kitas (evangelisch, katholisch), independent Kitas, and private Kitas. Costs and availability vary by type. State-funded places are subsidized based on income. Private Kitas often charge more but may have shorter waiting lists.

Kita places in Berlin are largely subsidized. Since 2018, the Kita-Beitrag (monthly fee) has been abolished for most families in Berlin for up to 7 hours per day. You pay only for meals (around 23 euros per month) and sometimes an additional hour fee if you need more than 7 hours. Some private Kitas charge additional fees on top.

The Kita-Gutschein is the official voucher from the Jugendamt that entitles your child to a subsidized Kita place. You apply for it at your local Jugendamt. Without it, you cannot access the subsidized rate. Apply for it early as processing can take several weeks.

There are a number of bilingual Kitas in Berlin offering English-German, French-German, and other language combinations. These tend to have the longest waiting lists. They are flagged in the Spielwiese directory.