Daycare in Bremen

Places allocated through the municipality: Applications and placement are handled by the youth offices of Bremen and Bremerhaven. Parents must also apply directly to their preferred childcare centers. Admission is decided by the providers based on their criteria and available places.

Free childcare from age 3: Since August 1, 2019, all children from age 3 until school entry are entitled to completely free childcare, regardless of household income or provider type. For children under age 3, parent fees apply and are based on family income.

Central fee administration: Since 2019, fees are set and collected centrally, including for independent and private providers. Parents receive their bill from the municipality, not from the childcare center. Families also pay for meals and any optional additional services.

Opening hours set by the provider: Opening times vary by childcare center. Holiday closure periods are determined by each provider.

Diverse provider landscape: Bremen has municipal providers (KiTa Bremen), church-run, independent nonprofit, and private centers. Parents are free to choose a provider if places are available. In 2024, the childminding sector underwent reform to increase professional standards.

Bremen Childcare Act (BremKTG): The key legal basis for early childhood education and care in Bremen is the BremKTG from December 19, 2000. The state sets the legal framework, while the municipalities of Bremen and Bremerhaven act as the responsible youth welfare authorities (Jugendamt) for implementation and planning.

Childminding reform: The 2024 reform of the BremKTG introduced new models such as larger group settings for family daycare, set group size limits, and strengthened qualification standards to improve quality.