Childcare

You have a small child with you (0-6)? You don't know where to start? Here is some key info!

Legal Rights & Requirements

Not Compulsory: Kindergarten (ages 3–6) and preschool are optional. Most children start regular school at age 6, or 7 at the latest.

Guaranteed Place (Ages 3+): Every child over the age of 3 is legally entitled to a kindergarten spot within their registered municipality (though it may not be close to home).

Under Age 3 Rights: Children under 3 are entitled to day care only if parents work, study full-time, or if it is essential for the child's welfare.

Even though the legal entitlement for kindergarten spots (for children 3+) exists, the reality is that due to capacity or personnel issues in the kindergartens, there could be long queues (months to years) for these services. This also applies to spots for children under 3. Therefore, it is important to apply as soon as possible!

• The chances of getting a place in the kindergarten of your choice are usually higher in August or September (when the older children move on to elementary school) than they are at the beginning of the calendar year, for example.
• It is nonetheless a good idea to register your child(ren) in a kindergarten as early as possible (from birth, if possible).
• Opening times depend on the type of kindergarten; children can usually be dropped off between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and picked up again between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Meals are provided by a catering service; organized by the kindergarten.

• Ages 0–3: Can attend a crèche (Kinderkrippe), which are usually housed inside standard day care centers.
• Ages 3–6: Attend Kindergarten, which includes preschool education during the final year (ages 5 or 6).

ⓘ What are these terms, KiTA, Kindergarten, Krippe...?

â–²
│   [ KITA / Kindertagesstätte ] (Umbrella Term: Ages 0 to 6+)
│   ─────────────────────────────────────────────
│
│   ├── 1. KRIPPE (Kinderkrippe) / Nursery
│   │   └── Age: 0 to 3 years old
│   │   └── Focus: Nurturing, basic routine, early social skills
│   │
│   ├── 2. KINDERGARTEN (Elementarbereich)
│   │   └── Age: 3 to 6 years old (until school entry)
│   │   └── Focus: Play-based learning, social development, preschool
│   │
│   └── 3. HORT / SCHULHORT (Optional addition to some Kitas)
│       └── Age: 6 to 12 years old
│       └── Focus: After-school care and homework supervision
â–¼

1.Search and Filter:

Visit the respective portal for your area:

• Saarbrücken & Surrounding Region: Use the Kita-Planer.
• St. Ingbert & Surrounding Region: Use the Kita-Navigator.

Enter your location, your child's date of birth, and your desired start date to filter out suitable daycare centers.

2.Select Your Top Daycare Centers:

Browse the list of available facilities. Click "Kita auswählen" (Select Kita) to add them to your personalized selection list.

3.Create Your Account:

Go to your selection list ("Meine Kita-Auswahl" or "Merkliste") to initiate the application. You will be prompted to create a secure parent account using your email address and personal details.

4.Submit the Pre-Registration:

Fill in your child’s data and specific care needs (e.g., full-time vs. part-time). Review the summary and hit submit to send your virtual pre-registration (Online-Vormerkung) directly to the chosen facilities.

5.Monitor Your Inbox:

The daycares review applications independently based on local criteria. Keep a close eye on your online portal inbox. If you receive a placement offer (Platzzusage), you must log in and accept it before the specified deadline, or the spot will be given to another family.

You can access support from professional, qualified childcare providers. These services are an excellent option if your child is too young for kindergarten. The city of Saarbrücken can help you find suitable care through its dedicated agency:

• Servicestelle Kinderbetreuung und Kindertagespflege
  • Address: Försterstraße 36, 66111 Saarbrücken
  • Phone: +49 681 8308626
  • Email: info@service-kinderbetreuung.de
  • Website: servicestelle-kindertagespflege.de

You can use their website to submit a direct matchmaking request (Vermittlungsanfrage) for a certified, home-based childminder (Tagesmutter or Tagesvater), which is highly popular for children under three.

Additionally, you should use the online Kita-Planer portal to search and apply for standard daycare centers. For positions in St. Ingbert and the surrounding areas, please use the Kita-Navigator. To maximize your chances of securing a spot, we highly recommend registering your child across all of these platforms. (See the box "How do I apply for spots?")

• State vs. Private: State day care centers (KiTas) charge relatively low fees because the government subsidizes most of it. Multi-lingual centers exist but are private and more expensive.
• Current Local State KiTa Costs (Saarland): Parents pay a subsidized parental contribution based on hours and age:
  • Kindergarten (Ages 3–6): Roughly €27 to €52 per month for the base spot.
  • Crèche/Kinderkrippe (Ages 0–3): Roughly €98 to €164 per month.
  • Note: You should also factor in around €100 per month extra to cover provided lunches and snacks. Discounts are automatically applied for siblings.
• Upcoming Major Change: The Saarland state government is completely phasing out standard parental fees; starting January 1, 2027, state KiTa spots will be completely free of charge (though food costs may still apply).
• Language Benefit: Sending children early provides an immersive German-speaking environment that heavily aids natural language learning, which is incredibly useful for long-term stays.