Every child from the age of one has a legal entitlement to support in a day care center (Kita) or day care. Before the first birthday, a child is entitled to support and care in a kindergarten or a day care center if parents cannot look after their child themselves because both parents are working, looking for work or are still in training. In addition, there is also a claim if the promotion is necessary for the development of the child. This is regulated by § 24 (1) of the Eighth Social Code (SGB VIII). How many hours the child can be cared for, depends on the individual needs.
There are many opportunities for childcare in Germany up to the age of three:
toddler groups
minders / day fathers
game circles
Nurseries
Age-mixed kindergartens
To participate in these childcare services, you must first register your children. Sometimes the places are scarce because of the large number of interested parents. It's best to ask for free places as early as possible. The youth welfare offices provide information about the available space in the local catchment area of the respective institutions.
Day care in Nordrhein-Westfalen:
Parents can choose between taking care of their children in a day care center (crèche or kindergarten) or child day care.
Parents must inform the responsible youth welfare office about their need for a place in a day care at least six months before. The registration can be made via electronic registration systems. The Youth Welfare Office confirms the parents 'need information within one month and informs them about the amount of the parents' contributions. The place of care will be allocated at the latest six weeks before the desired start of care. When parents have chosen a day care facility, they arrange an on-site appointment to enroll their child.
Children under the age of three can be cared for all day or part of the day at the daycare facilities.
Playgroups are fixed groups where kids play together for a few hours two to three times a week. The duration of the childcare time is limited to 15 hours per week, no midday care is offered.
Day care facilities with reference to the responsible youth welfare office you will find here: https://www.kita.nrw.de/eltern/kita-finder/kita-finder-nrw
Child day care takes place in the household of the day care person, in the household of the parents or in other suitable rooms.
Parents who are looking for a care place for their child, can register their need at the local youth welfare service (municipal office or youth welfare office). The public youth welfare agency arranges free places in child day care or parents can look for a suitable free place in a day care for children themselves.
General Information:
Day Care in NRW: https://www.kita.nrw.de/eltern/kindertagesbetreuung-nordrhein-westfalen und http://www.lvr.de/de/nav_main/jugend_2/kinderundfamilien/tageseinrichtungenfrkinder/infos_fuer_eltern_2/elterninfos_kita/inhaltsseite_61.jsp
Child day care: https://www.landesverband-kindertagespflege-nrw.de/index.php?article_id=6 und
https://www.landesverband-kindertagespflege-nrw.de/index.php?article_id=6
Parents brochure in twelve languages: https://www.kita.nrw.de/eltern/integration-von-kindern-mit-fluchterfahrung#Neue-Elternbroschuere-informiert-in-zwoelf-Sprachen