You’ve found an apartment, registered at the Einwohnermeldeamt, got your temporary protection sorted - and now you’re staring at the next problem: where does your kid go while you’re at language courses or work? Kita (Kindertagesstätte - daycare/kindergarten) is the answer. But here’s the thing: Germany is short 300,000 spots for under-threes alone. So the sooner you figure out the paperwork and apply, the better your chances.
Rechtsanspruch - your child has a legal right to a spot¶
First things first: since 2013, every child from age 1 has a legal right (Rechtsanspruch) to a spot in a daycare or with a Tagesmutter (childminder). It’s written into §24 SGB VIII - the Social Code. From age 3, there’s a right to a Kindergarten place.
For Ukrainian families under temporary protection (§24 AufenthG), this works exactly the same way. You don’t even need a finalized Aufenthaltserlaubnis - as long as you actually live in Germany and are registered at an address, your child has the same rights.
If the municipality can’t give you a spot, it’s legally obligated to cover the costs of an alternative (like a private daycare or Tagesmutter). And yes, you can sue for this through administrative courts. Prozesskostenhilfe (legal aid) is available for low-income families.
What documents you need for Kita registration¶
The exact list varies slightly by city and specific Kita, but the core set is the same across Germany.
1. Parent’s passport or ID¶
Passport of one or both parents. No translation needed - the Kita just makes a copy.
2. Child’s birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde)¶
This is the key document. No Kita will register your child without it. You need a certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) into German - meaning a translation by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) who’s authorized to certify translations with their official stamp.
Cost: 50-75 euros depending on the format of your birth certificate (newer vs. older format, handwritten vs. printed). You can order a translation online through ChatsControl without having to search translator databases yourself.
You might need an apostille too, but in practice many Kitas and Jugendamt offices have been flexible with Ukrainian refugees and don’t always require it. Best to check with the specific Kita.
3. Proof of registration (Meldebestätigung)¶
The document from Einwohnermeldeamt confirming your address. It’s already in German - nothing to translate.
4. Residence permit¶
Aufenthaltserlaubnis under §24 AufenthG or Fiktionsbescheinigung. Also in German, no translation needed.
5. Vaccination record (Impfpass)¶
More on this in the Masernschutz section below.
6. Medical certificate from a doctor¶
Ärztliche Bescheinigung - a certificate from a German pediatrician confirming your child is healthy enough for group care. This comes from a German Kinderarzt, so there’s nothing to translate from Ukraine - just book an appointment. The certificate must be less than 12 months old.
7. Proof of custody (Sorgerecht)¶
If you’re a single parent, you’ll need a Negativbescheinigung (certificate that there are no custody disputes) or a court order. If both parents are present, both sign the enrollment application.
8. Employer’s certificate (in some cities)¶
Arbeitgeberbescheinigung - some cities (Stuttgart, Konstanz, and others) require proof that parents work or study. For Bürgergeld recipients - a Leistungsbescheid (benefits approval notice).
Masernschutz - measles vaccination¶
Since March 1, 2020, Germany’s Masernschutzgesetz requires proof of measles vaccination before a child can attend Kita.
What’s required¶
- Children aged 1+: at least 1 measles vaccination
- Children aged 2+: 2 measles vaccinations
- Proof via: Impfpass (vaccination record), yellow U-Untersuchungsheft booklet, or a doctor’s certificate
The specifics for Ukrainian children¶
Good news: Ukrainian children can be admitted to Kita even without complete vaccination proof at the time of enrollment. But you’ll need to provide it as soon as possible.
The catch is that the Ukrainian vaccination schedule differs from the German one (STIKO). In Ukraine, the second MMR dose (measles, mumps, rubella) is given at age 6, while in Germany it’s given at 15-23 months. So practically all Ukrainian children entering Kita need their second MMR dose earlier than the Ukrainian schedule calls for.
What about the Ukrainian vaccination card? A formal translation usually isn’t needed - German pediatricians can read the entries or use reference materials. The BZgA (Federal Centre for Health Education) provides information materials in Ukrainian. But if the Kita insists on a translation, get one - it costs 20-40 euros.
Easiest route: book an appointment with a German pediatrician. They’ll review the Ukrainian vaccination card, administer any needed vaccines, and issue a German Impfpass. No translations required.
How much Kita costs - depends on the state¶
The price of a daycare spot in Germany is a lottery where your prize depends on which federal state you live in and how much you earn.
| Federal state | Cost |
|---|---|
| Berlin | Free for all ages |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Free for all ages |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | Free from age 2 |
| Niedersachsen | Free from age 3 (up to 8 hours/day) |
| Hessen | Free from age 3 (up to 6 hours/day) |
| Brandenburg | Free from age 3 |
| Hamburg | Free up to 5 hours/day (30 hours/week) |
| NRW | Last 2 years before school are free |
| Bayern | 100 euro/month subsidy, but fees apply |
| Baden-Württemberg | Depends on city (Heilbronn - free from 3, Stuttgart - fees apply) |
For Bürgergeld recipients - it’s free¶
If your family receives Bürgergeld (which applies to most Ukrainians under temporary protection), you’re exempt from Kita fees. Just submit your Leistungsbescheid (benefits approval notice) to the Jugendamt.
Meals (Essensgeld) are billed separately, but you can apply for coverage too - at the Jobcenter (for Bürgergeld recipients) or the relevant Sozialamt.
How to find a Kita spot - step by step¶
Step 1: Start looking as early as possible¶
Ideally 12-18 months before your desired start date. Yes, seriously. Germany is short 430,000 daycare spots nationwide. NRW alone is missing 85,000 spots, Berlin - 17,000. The earlier you apply, the better your chances.
Step 2: Register on the online portal¶
Most cities have online registration systems:
| City / Region | Portal |
|---|---|
| Berlin | Kita-Navigator (kita-navigator.berlin.de) |
| Munich | kitafinder+ (kitafinder.muenchen.de) |
| Hamburg | Kita-Gutschein (hamburg.de/kita-gutschein) |
| Düsseldorf and NRW | Kita-Navigator or LITTLE BIRD |
| Nationwide search | familienportal.de |
Register at 5-10 Kitas simultaneously - this is standard practice in Germany, nobody will be offended.
Step 3: Get your Kita-Gutschein (Berlin, Hamburg)¶
In Berlin and Hamburg, you need a special voucher - Kita-Gutschein - before enrollment. Apply at your district’s Jugendamt. If you already have a specific spot, the voucher is issued immediately.
Step 4: Call and follow up¶
Online registration is great, but personal contact works better. Call the Kitas every month, remind them you exist, ask about availability. Parents on expat forums consistently report that those who called regularly got spots faster.
Step 5: Consider alternatives¶
- Tagesmutter / Tagespflege (childminder) - for under-threes, spots are often available when Kitas are full. Places open up throughout the year, not just in August-September.
- Betriebskita - ask your employer if they have a partnership with any daycare.
- Private mini-daycares - more expensive, but spots are available.
Step 6: Don’t hesitate to use your Rechtsanspruch¶
If there’s no spot anywhere and your child is already 1 year old, submit a formal written request to the municipality. This creates legal pressure, and the city is obligated to either find a spot or compensate your costs for a private alternative.
Eingewöhnung - the first weeks at Kita¶
Once you’ve got the spot and submitted your documents, there’s one more thing to prepare for: Eingewöhnung (settling-in period). This is something Ukrainian parents are often not ready for.
Eingewöhnung means one parent must be available (physically at the Kita or within a few minutes’ distance) for 2-5 weeks. Yes, weeks. There are two main approaches:
- Berlin Model (Berliner Modell) - 2-4 weeks, parent gradually spends more time away
- Munich Model (Münchener Modell) - up to 4-5 weeks, child as active participant in the process
This means you can’t start a full-time job on day one of Kita. Plan ahead - arrange it with your employer or Integrationskurs.
What to translate and what not - summary table¶
| Document | Translation needed? | What type? | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent’s passport | No | - | - |
| Birth certificate | Yes | Certified (beglaubigte Übersetzung) | 50-75 euros |
| Meldebestätigung | No (document is in German) | - | - |
| Aufenthaltserlaubnis / Fiktionsbescheinigung | No (document is in German) | - | - |
| Vaccination card (Impfpass) | Usually no | Doctor can read it | 0-40 euros |
| Marriage certificate (if needed) | Yes | Certified | 50-70 euros |
| Custody decision (if applicable) | Yes | Certified | 50-80 euros |
Total translation costs for Kita: in most cases, it’s just the birth certificate - 50-75 euros. You can order a translation online through ChatsControl and receive it within hours.
Common mistakes¶
Putting off the Kita search. In Germany, you need to start looking a year to a year and a half in advance. If you apply a month before your desired date, your chances are slim - especially in big cities.
Applying to just one Kita. Register at 5-10 Kitas at once - it’s standard practice. One Kita = one chance, ten Kitas = ten chances.
Not calling after registering. An online application is fine, but without follow-up calls you’ll easily get lost among hundreds of other applications.
Not knowing about Eingewöhnung. Planning to start full-time work on day one of Kita is a mistake. Budget 2-5 weeks for the settling-in period, during which you need to be nearby.
FAQ¶
What documents do I need to register my child for Kita in Germany?¶
The standard set: parent’s passport, certified translation of the child’s birth certificate into German, Meldebestätigung (proof of registration), Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Fiktionsbescheinigung, proof of measles vaccination, medical certificate from a German pediatrician. Some cities also require an employer’s certificate or Kita-Gutschein (Berlin, Hamburg).
How much does Kita cost in Germany for Ukrainians?¶
For Bürgergeld recipients (most Ukrainians under temporary protection), Kita is free. Just submit your Leistungsbescheid to the Jugendamt. In Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and some other states, Kita is free for everyone. In other states, the cost depends on income - from 0 to 400+ euros per month.
Will they accept my child without full vaccination?¶
Yes, Ukrainian children can be admitted without the complete vaccination package. But measles (Masern) vaccination needs to happen as soon as possible. Book an appointment with a German pediatrician - they’ll review the Ukrainian Impfpass, administer the necessary vaccines, and issue a German certificate.
How can I get a Kita spot faster?¶
Apply as early as possible (ideally a year ahead), register at 5-10 Kitas simultaneously, call and follow up monthly, consider a Tagesmutter as an alternative, be flexible on start date and area. If there’s no spot and your child is already 1, submit a formal Rechtsanspruch request to the municipality.
How much does translating a birth certificate for Kita cost?¶
A certified translation of a Ukrainian birth certificate into German costs 50-75 euros. This is the main (and often only) document you need to translate for Kita. You can order it online through ChatsControl or find a translator through the justiz-dolmetscher.de database.
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