Day care voucher

Frequently asked questions

• Until when can I redeem the day care voucher?

  A day care voucher issued for part-time care (up to seven hours) does not expire. However, deadlines apply for the redemption of full-day or extended full-day vouchers in accordance with the Child Day Care Funding Ordinance (VOKitaFöG). Accordingly, an approved full-day or extended full-day place must be utilised no later than seven months after the start of childcare that was approved by the youth welfare office. Therefore a childcare contract must be concluded within this period.

• I want my child to transfer to a different facility. Can I continue use my day care voucher?

  Yes, you can continue to use the voucher when changing facilities. However, you must note that a new contract can generally only be financed if the previous contract has been terminated extraordinarily (i.e. without notice) or ordinarily (i.e. in due time, whereby the notice period may not exceed one month to the end of the month in accordance with § 16 Para. 1 No. 4 KitaFöG). Only in the event of particular hardship and if the validity of the cancellation with the previous provider is disputed, can the youth welfare office finance a new contract at its own discretion following a separate application before that.

• What happens with my day care voucher if I move out of Berlin?

  If you move to Brandenburg and wish to continue to receive support for your child in Berlin, the procedures according to the State Treaty between the State of Berlin and the State of Brandenburg on the mutual utilisation of places in child daycare facilities apply. These require that there are sufficient places available in Berlin and that the responsible office in Brandenburg reimburses the costs to Berlin. In this case, please contact your responsible office in Brandenburg in good time.

• Does my child need certain vaccinations to attend a day care centre in Berlin?

  Yes, children who are to attend a day care centre in Berlin need effective protection against measles. The following therefore applies:

  • Children who are at least two years old must provide proof of at least two measles vaccinations or sufficient measles immunity;
  • children who are at least one year old must provide proof of one measles vaccination or measles immunity;
  • children under one year of age do not initially need to provide proof of measles immunity, but later proof must be provided in a timely manner.
  • In addition, a medical clearance certificate and proof of a medical vaccination consultation must be submitted before childcare begins. Please contact your paediatrician for this.
• Due to a lack of free places I couldn't register my child at my prefereed day care facility. What happens now?

  If you have not been offered a place at your preferred day care facility, please contact other day care centres. The Kita-Navigator will give you a quick overview when searching for daycare centres in your area and available places. Your district youth welfare office can also inform you about the existing childcare facilities and, if necessary, will carry out a so-called ‘proof of openings’, which lists free, suitable places. However, these may also be located in a neighbouring district; a journey of up to 30 minutes by public transport is considered reasonable.

• Can my day care centre provider demand co-payments?

  Day care providers may only demand additional payments under certain conditions. It is important that these are always additional services requested by the parents. However, the providers are not obliged to fulfil every request for special services. Additional payments for admission to the day care centre, the reservation or holding of a day care place, deposits or cleaning costs may not be charged under any circumstances. Additional payments for legally prescribed staff and room standards are also not permitted. Furthermore, any regulations in childcare contracts or co-payment agreements that would oblige you to become a member of an organisation or sponsoring association are prohibited. In principle, the maximum permissible amount for co-payments is 100 euros per child per month. Under certain conditions, it is possible for providers to charge additional payments of more than 100 euros per month with the approval of the Senate Administration. In the case of co-payments of more than 40 euros per month, daycare centre providers are obliged to provide annual proof of what the funds were used for.