Kita in Berlin: Kita-Gutschein, needs assessment, and Kita-Navigator

Legal basis

SGB VIII (§§ 22 to 26, particularly § 24), the Kindertagesförderungsgesetz Berlin (KitaFöG, Berlin Childcare Support Act), the Kindertagesförderungsverordnung (VOKitaFöG), the Tagesbetreuungskostenbeteiligungsgesetz (TKBG) (per service.berlin.de and the Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie, Erläuterungen February 2026). § 24 SGB VIII: a child who has turned one is entitled to early-childhood support in a daycare facility or Kindertagespflege until turning three; infants under one receive support where this is needed for their development or where the parents are employed or in training. In Berlin, the entitlement goes further: a statutory entitlement to part-time support of up to 7 hours daily from the child's first birthday until compulsory schooling begins (Senatsverwaltung). The scope of the entitlement under § 24 SGB VIII up to age three and Berlin's own entitlement up to school entry are two separate legal bases; the Senatsverwaltung's explanatory notes describe the Berlin procedure.

Support types and need

Half-day support (at least 4 up to a maximum of 5 hours daily), part-time support (over 5 up to a maximum of 7), full-day support (over 7 up to a maximum of 9), extended full-day support (over 9 hours). Beyond the basic entitlement, need must be demonstrated. Under § 4 Abs. 2 KitaFöG, all children should receive a place where there is a need for pedagogical, social, or family reasons. Need exists for employment, training, study, retraining, further education, participation in measures for integration into work. This also applies where an Integrationskurs under the Zuwanderungsgesetz, or an equivalent language course, is attended. When registered as job-seeking, a half-day need is generally recognized, unless an entitlement to part-time support already exists. Children under one year in foster families: generally a half-day need; children under one year in emergency or collective accommodation: generally a need for part-time support without further requirements. A personnel supplement applies for (impending) disability, generally with official confirmation (e.g. from the Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitsdienst). The scope of care follows the time required by employment or other need-establishing activity plus travel time (§ 5 Abs. 2 KitaFöG). The term "Bedarfsbescheid" (needs decision notice): in Berlin usage, the Kita-Gutschein corresponds to the Bedarfsbescheid; per the Senatsverwaltung, it "has the function of a decision notice". At the Jugendamt Treptow-Köpenick, "Bedarfsbescheid" also refers to the confirmation for supplementary support and care at primary schools (eFöB).

Application and voucher

The Jugendamt in whose area the child lives is responsible, even if the child attends a facility in another district. Requirements: residence in Berlin, custody, consent of those with custody, child at least 8 weeks old (service.berlin.de). Documents: completed application signed by everyone with custody; proof of consent from a non-signing parent, or proof of sole custody; foster-care contract if applicable; registration certificate (if relevant); proof of work or study for extended scope. The voucher states the type and scope of the entitlement and can be redeemed at any provider that has a funding agreement with the State of Berlin and a free place. The provider settles accounts with the Jugendamt. Per the Jugendamt Pankow, vouchers are valid in all Berlin districts. A new application is needed if the scope is to be expanded, if the deadline for the start of care stated in the voucher has passed, or if the Jugendamt determines a longer absence of the child (§ 4 Abs. 10 VOKitaFöG). For a move to Brandenburg, a state treaty between Berlin and Brandenburg applies (Senatsverwaltung).

Costs

Care in daycare facilities and Kindertagespflege is free for all children; a meal contribution of 23 euros per month applies for lunch (Senatsverwaltung, February 2026; also the Jugendamt Pankow and the Senate's Kita-Gutschein page). No confirmed information is available for this. Per the Senate page, the Willkommensgutschein (welcome voucher) is sent automatically, no application is needed; its content and value: no confirmed information is available for this.

Kita-Navigator

A free online service of the State of Berlin (kita-navigator.berlin.de): search by radius or name, filters (opening hours, age, pedagogical approach, multilingualism, focus areas), care inquiries to Kitas, forwarding to the online voucher application. A watchlist and care inquiries require a BundID account; basic search is possible without login.

Residence status

The procedural pages name no restriction based on residence title; residence in Berlin is the requirement. Berlin's Ukraine page describes the same application procedure for people who fled Ukraine. On whether and how a particular residence status (e.g.

Implementation in Berlin

Jugendamt Treptow-Köpenick (eFöB and Kita voucher procedure): Groß-Berliner Damm 154, 12489 Berlin, [email protected], phone Tuesdays 9am–12pm and Thursdays 1–3pm. Jugendamt Pankow, Fachbereich Kindertagesbetreuung: [email protected]. For the remaining districts: no confirmed information is available for this (contact via service.berlin.de or district pages, not confirmed here).