What is Elternmitarbeit?
Elternmitarbeit is a term that includes all forms of parental participation in nursery (Kita) or school activities, such as:
| Type of voluntary work | Examples |
|---|---|
| Simple maintenance tasks | Cleaning the garden, organising toys |
| Organisation | Preparing events (parties, charity markets, bazaars, etc.) |
| Helping with meals | Supporting breakfast and lunch services |
| Reading or storytelling | Voluntary reading or storytelling sessions for children |
| Practical/creative skills | Sewing, crafts and creative activities with children |
Can volunteering lead to a reduction in Kita fees?
Yes, in some cases:
In Elterninitiative or Eltern-Kind-Gruppen nurseries:
These are nurseries run and organised largely by parents themselves.
A certain number of volunteer hours per month is required.
The more committed the parents are, the lower the fees can be.
In some public or private Kitas:
They may use a system of “Pflichtstunden” (mandatory hours).
If parents cannot pay the full fees, they may be allowed to do voluntary work instead of part of the payment.
In Kitas run by associations (Träger) such as AWO or Caritas:
Some organisations offer fee reductions in return for regular volunteering.
Does this apply in all federal states?
No. The system varies from one federal state to another, and even from one municipality to another.
For example:
In Berlin:
Kita is generally free of charge starting from the first year.
In Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg:
Fees depend on family income and the number of children – and in some facilities a part of the fees can be reduced in exchange for parental volunteering.
How is the discount calculated?
| Number of volunteer hours per month | Approximate reduction |
|---|---|
| 5 hours per month | 10–20% |
| 10 hours per month | Up to 50% in some cases |
The discount is usually calculated on an annual basis after the recorded volunteer hours have been reviewed.
How can I apply for this discount?
Ask the Kita management or the responsible Träger whether there is an Elternmitarbeit system in place.
Request a registration form for voluntary work.
Submit a formal written request for a fee reduction based on your volunteer contribution.
Make sure all volunteer hours are properly documented.
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may not be fully verified. Therefore, the information in the articles should be regarded as an initial point of reference, and readers are advised to contact the competent authorities for definitive information.
