This is one of the many Berlin for all the Family posts relating to finding childcare in Berlin and explaining the system. This post focuses on the Tagesmutter, what it is, how it works and how to find and apply for one...
What is a Tagesmutter?
A Tagesmutter is a childminder and they often run their childcare out of their own homes which are specifically organised to provide care for a small group of children.
What is the Difference Between a Tagesmutter and a Kita/Kinderladen?
Tagesmutter tend to take on just a small number of children at a time and so are often able to offer smaller group sizes than many Kita's. This makes them popular for parents who are looking for childcare for their babies around one years old and younger. The downside of the Tagesmutter is that they only take children up until age 3 at which point the child would then have to move on to a Kita for the rest of their childcare until school. You can read more about the differences between the two forms of childcare in my 'Tips for Finding the Right 'Fit' Childcare for your Child' post.
How to Find Tagesmütter in your Neighbourhood
You can head to your local Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) during their public opening hours (Sprechzeiten) and request a list of the Tagesmutter working in your area (see the links at the end of this post to find your local Jugendamt offices). Once you have this list, I would recommend contacting each of the Tagesmütter, asking about their availability and visiting those who have suitable spots open for your child to view them and their facilities to see if it's a good match.
How Are Tagesmütter Approved?
A Tagesmutter that will be found on the Jugendamt list will have had to have proven their qualification to care for children and will have also had their facilities checked and approved by the Jugendamt.
How Much Does a Tagesmutter Cost?
As with Kita's in Berlin, the cost for a Tagesmütter is calculated based upon your income. If your child is under three, the state pays a certain part of the cost of your Kita spot. For the three years prior to starting school, the state pays the full cost and you only have to pay 23 € for food, unless your Tagesmütter provides organic food which may cost extra. Some Tagesmütter will have additional charges so make sure to discuss this when you meet with different Tagesmütter.
Once You've Found the Right Tagesmutter, How do you Apply?
Once you've found a Tagesmutter you like who has the availability to take your child, you need to go to the Jugendamt in your area and apply for a Kita Gutschein (yes, also for a Tagesmutter.) You can find the full details of how to do this here.
You Have the Gutschein, What Next?
Once you have received your Kita Gutschein, take it to your Tagesmutter and you will be given a contract that you need to read through and sign. Make sure that you have discussed important factors such as opening times, possible holiday cover etc first (you can find a useful list of factors to consider and discuss here.) You will receive a copy of your contract and you need to agree a date to start your child's 'Eingewohnung' at the Tagesmutter. This is a period of time (often around 3 weeks, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter) that slowly acclimatises your child (and you) to them entering childcare. Ask your Tagesmutter if they expect you to bring a 'Gesundheitsbescheinigung' for the first day your child will be attending. If so, you can find out how to get one here.
Here are the divisons of the Jugendämter responsible for allocating Tagesmütter spots:
Mitte
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Friedrichshain-Kreuzuberg
Pankow
Treptow-Köpenick
Marzahn-Hellerdorf
Steglitz-Zehlendorf
Spandau
Neukölln
Reinickendorf
Tempelhof-Schöneberg
Lichtenberg
So, that's it! I hope you found the post useful and wishing you all the best for your search for a Tagesmutter or other childcare option for your son or daughter.
Other Kita (daycare / nursery) related blog posts on Berlin for all the Family:
How to apply for a Kita Gutschein
What is a Gesundheitsbescheinigung?
Tips for finding the right childcare for your child
What is the difference between a Kita and a Tagesmutter?
How to get a Tagesmutter (Childminder) in Berlin
How to apply for a Kita Spot in Berlin
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A Tagesmutter is a childminder and they often run their childcare out of their own homes which are specifically organised to provide care for a small group of children.
What is the Difference Between a Tagesmutter and a Kita/Kinderladen?
Tagesmutter tend to take on just a small number of children at a time and so are often able to offer smaller group sizes than many Kita's. This makes them popular for parents who are looking for childcare for their babies around one years old and younger. The downside of the Tagesmutter is that they only take children up until age 3 at which point the child would then have to move on to a Kita for the rest of their childcare until school. You can read more about the differences between the two forms of childcare in my 'Tips for Finding the Right 'Fit' Childcare for your Child' post.
How to Find Tagesmütter in your Neighbourhood
You can head to your local Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) during their public opening hours (Sprechzeiten) and request a list of the Tagesmutter working in your area (see the links at the end of this post to find your local Jugendamt offices). Once you have this list, I would recommend contacting each of the Tagesmütter, asking about their availability and visiting those who have suitable spots open for your child to view them and their facilities to see if it's a good match.
How Are Tagesmütter Approved?
A Tagesmutter that will be found on the Jugendamt list will have had to have proven their qualification to care for children and will have also had their facilities checked and approved by the Jugendamt.
How Much Does a Tagesmutter Cost?
As with Kita's in Berlin, the cost for a Tagesmütter is calculated based upon your income. If your child is under three, the state pays a certain part of the cost of your Kita spot. For the three years prior to starting school, the state pays the full cost and you only have to pay 23 € for food, unless your Tagesmütter provides organic food which may cost extra. Some Tagesmütter will have additional charges so make sure to discuss this when you meet with different Tagesmütter.
Once You've Found the Right Tagesmutter, How do you Apply?
Once you've found a Tagesmutter you like who has the availability to take your child, you need to go to the Jugendamt in your area and apply for a Kita Gutschein (yes, also for a Tagesmutter.) You can find the full details of how to do this here.
You Have the Gutschein, What Next?
Once you have received your Kita Gutschein, take it to your Tagesmutter and you will be given a contract that you need to read through and sign. Make sure that you have discussed important factors such as opening times, possible holiday cover etc first (you can find a useful list of factors to consider and discuss here.) You will receive a copy of your contract and you need to agree a date to start your child's 'Eingewohnung' at the Tagesmutter. This is a period of time (often around 3 weeks, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter) that slowly acclimatises your child (and you) to them entering childcare. Ask your Tagesmutter if they expect you to bring a 'Gesundheitsbescheinigung' for the first day your child will be attending. If so, you can find out how to get one here.
Here are the divisons of the Jugendämter responsible for allocating Tagesmütter spots:
Mitte
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Friedrichshain-Kreuzuberg
Pankow
Treptow-Köpenick
Marzahn-Hellerdorf
Steglitz-Zehlendorf
Spandau
Neukölln
Reinickendorf
Tempelhof-Schöneberg
Lichtenberg
So, that's it! I hope you found the post useful and wishing you all the best for your search for a Tagesmutter or other childcare option for your son or daughter.
Other Kita (daycare / nursery) related blog posts on Berlin for all the Family:
How to apply for a Kita Gutschein
What is a Gesundheitsbescheinigung?
Tips for finding the right childcare for your child
What is the difference between a Kita and a Tagesmutter?
How to get a Tagesmutter (Childminder) in Berlin
How to apply for a Kita Spot in Berlin
Berlin for all the Family can also be found on:
Sign up to the BFATF email newsletter to receive the latest posts
direct in your inbox here.
