Disadvantages
The youth welfare offices compute the parents’ contribution with a daily nut/mother after the fee rates of the municipalities, this calculated amount depends on the Land. The fee schedule is also subject to the parents’ income and the number of hours of care. The Youth Welfare Offices are the contact persons when applying for public subsidies for the childminder.
There are a few basic requirements for a public subsidy for a childminder, including that both parents or single parents must be 50 percent employed, studying or retraining and that the child needs at least six hours of care per week. In the case of a KITA run by a public agency, the costs also depend on the individual federal states, but also on the municipalities. In general, the costs of a daycare center consist of food and care.
The parents always have to pay for the meals. There are communities where the parents do not have to pay, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Usually the contribution to be paid is calculated from the gross annual income, the number of hours of care per week and the number of children who need care in this family. In addition, it is possible to apply for a cost subsidy for a KITA place in order to reduce the monthly costs.
How do I recognize the best form of care for my child?
The form of care usually depends on the child’s age. For example, a childminder is recommended for children aged six months and older, since hardly any KITAs accept such small children. A child at this age needs much more intensive care and supervision, which cannot be guaranteed in a kindergarten due to the low staffing levels.
For children from the age of three or four, on the other hand, a KITA is more advisable, since there they can have more contact with their peers. This contact is needed for the child’s social development. Furthermore, the preferred form of care depends on the working hours of the parents.
In case of very irregular working hours or times that last until late in the evening, a childminder is preferable not only for the child but for the whole family situation, because she can adjust the care times much more flexibly to the family. For children at an age where both forms of care are possible, it is recommended to attend the kindergarten of choice and the childminder for one day. On this day you can not only get a first impression of the atmosphere and the daily routine, but also clarify open questions in order to better judge whether or not you want to leave your child there for care.
