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In Germany, the quality of childcare in nurseries and day-care centres (Kita) is expressed through the ratio of educator to child, known as the Betreuungsschlüssel. This ratio differs between the federal states and influences how many children are supervised by a single educator.
Comparison of ratios in Berlin and Hamburg
Berlin
Children under 3 years (Krippe):
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Since 2019, one educator in full-time day care looks after an average of 3.75 children.
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Further improvements are planned to reduce the ratio to 3:1 by 2026. (berlin.de, humanistisch.de)
Children from 3 years until school entry (Kindergarten):
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The current ratio is 1:9, meaning one educator for 9 children. (de.wikipedia.org)
Hamburg
Children under 3 years (Krippe):
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Since 2021, the ratio has been legally set at 1:4.
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However, reports indicate that the actual ratio may be around 1:4.1, meaning that educators sometimes supervise more children than stipulated by law. (kindermitte.org)
Children from 3 years until school entry (Kindergarten):
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The legally targeted ratio is 1:10.
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In practice, the actual ratio can be around 1:7.5. (gew-hamburg.de)
Why the ratio matters when choosing childcare
A lower ratio means:
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more individual attention for each child
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better opportunities for social and emotional development
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a safer and more stable environment
A higher ratio may lead to:
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less time available for each child
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increased pressure on educators
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challenges in monitoring and responding to all children’s needs
Tips for parents
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Ask about the ratio:
When visiting any childcare centre, ask about the educator-to-child ratio for your child’s age group. -
Observe the environment:
Watch how children interact with the educators and whether they seem to receive enough attention. -
Check licences and compliance:
Make sure the centre is officially approved and complies with the legal standards for staff–child ratios.
The writing and editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may still occur or some information may be uncertain. Therefore, please treat the information in these articles as an initial point of reference and always consult the competent authorities or professionals for authoritative and up-to-date guidance.
