International employees

We welcome you as an international employee at the TU Darmstadt on the pages of the Family Service Center. Here you will find essential information on the childcare system in Germany and the necessary steps to ensure childcare after your arrival.

Choosing suitable childcare is an important decision for you as parents. In Germany, the childcare system generally depends on the age of the children. In the following sections you will find information on the individual childcare options.

Your steps to secure childcare:

  • Start researching as soon as your place of residence is determined so that childcare can be found close to your new home.
  • Which facility (nursery, kindergarten, school, etc.) is suitable for my child? Which educational concept suits our family?
  • Once you have decided on a facility, register via the parent portal of the city of Darmstadt. Follow the further steps for registration on the respective websites of the facilities.
  • Please also note the long waiting times at almost all facilities. It is advisable to send applications to several facilities.
  • It is often necessary to visit the facility or confirm your arrival in person in order to complete the application process. Please contact the head of the facility promptly to clarify any questions in this regard.
  • If your child is of school age/ over 6 years old, please contact the responsible school authority.
  • If possible, prepare your child's language skills for the stay. Although there are bilingual concepts in schools and childcare facilities, the use of German is often unavoidable. You can also find help on the website of the VIASD e.V. association.

Nursery

In Germany, nurseries offer professional care by educators and early support for children under the age of three.

Children can attend the childcare facility from the age of a few months up to the age of three. The times depend on the facility and requirements.

Typical models are e.g. morning or all-day care. Just like the opening hours, the educational concept (e.g. Montessori, forest education, etc.) differs from facility to facility. It is therefore essential that you find out at an early stage which local facility is suitable for you and your child.

Even though children from the age of 1 are entitled to a place in childcare the waiting lists in many regions are long due to high demand and there is often a wait of several months for a place in a nursery. Please also note the settling-in period in the facilities. Care is often initially provided on an hourly basis in order to gently acclimatize a child to the new environment. This process can take several weeks in some facilities.

Childminder (Tageseltern)

An alternative to nurseries are childminders, who provide flexible care close to the family. They usually look after small groups of children in their own home, which allows for personal and individual care. The age group of the children cared for ranges from a few months to school age.

Childminders can offer flexible childcare times that are geared towards the needs of working parents and often also cover off-peak times that are not covered by traditional facilities.

Childminding is regulated by law: Childminders must have a care permit from the Youth Welfare Office, which ensures that they are appropriately qualified and undergo regular training. Due to the high demand, there are often waiting times here too.

Kindergarten

Kindergartens in Germany can care for children from the age of three to six years old until admission into primary school. They play a central role in early childhood education and social development. Kindergartens offer structured daily routines with a variety of activities that promote children's motor, cognitive and social skills. Care times vary depending on the facility and needs, with typical models including morning or all-day care.

Educational concepts also vary, but regardless of the concept, all facilities emphasize learning through play, creativity and social interaction. Care is provided by specialist staff such as educators and social assistants.

In Germany, parents have a legal right to a place in a kindergarten for their child. However, early registration is recommended as demand for places can be high. Expect to wait several months for your preferred kindergarten. If you are admitted to the kindergarten, please allow for a gradual acclimatization period of several weeks, e.g. according to the Berlin model.

Childminder (Tageseltern)

Even after the age of three, children can still be looked after by childminders. Usually, a transition to the kindergarten takes place between the ages of 3 and 4.

Primary and Secondary School

The school system in Germany is divided as follows:

  • Children from the age of six attend elementary school for 4 school years. In elementary school, basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills are taught.
  • After elementary school, children are enrolled at a secondary school. Based on performance, teacher recommendations and parents' wishes, there are different types of school that can be considered.
    • The Hauptschule (approx. 5 years) and Realschule (approx. 6 years) prepare students for vocational training. If they perform well, it is also possible to transfer to another secondary school.
    • The Gymnasium ends after eight to nine years with the Abitur and thus the entrance qualification for universities and universities of applied sciences.
    • All three types of school can be combined in one comprehensive school (Gesamtschule) that lasts five to nine years.
  • A school aptitude test is carried out for children at the end of kindergarten.