A kindergarten in Germany

If you want to start a kindergarten, you should know about the relevant laws, the required permits, and also, the key steps to opening one. It is a complicated process, as Germany has strict legal requirements regarding childcare and education. In this article from Wise Business Group, we will review the different steps to opening a kindergarten in Germany in detail.

Steps to opening a kindergarten in Germany

1. Research and planning for starting a kindergarten in Germany

Demand Analysis: The first thing you need to do is determine the demand for establishing a kindergarten in your desired area. To do this, you need to gather information about the number of children in the area, their age group, and the needs of parents in the community.

Business plan: Another important step you need to take is to prepare a detailed business plan. The plan should involve your business financial plan: start-up costs, operating costs, and how to finance. In addition, you must specify the employment programs and the type of kindergarten you want. For example, the kinds of kindergartens you can start in Germany include:

• Montessori kindergartens
• Waldorf kindergartens
• Bilingual kindergartens

Contact us for advice on preparing a strong and convincing business plan to start a business and obtain a German residence permit.

2. Choosing the appropriate legal structure for the desired kindergarten

Choosing the legal form: Now, you should decide how to run your kindergarten. You can run it as a non-profit, a private business, or under a public entity. Kindergartens in Germany often operate as non-profit organizations (gemeinnützige Vereine) or non-profit companies (gGmbH).

Business registration: If your choice is a private or non-profit organization, you must register your kindergarten with the commercial register (Handelsregister) and the local tax office (Finanzamt) in Germany.

3. Finding the right location to open a kindergarten in Germany

Construction requirements: The location you choose to establish your kindergarten must meet strict safety, health, accessibility, and space requirements. Each German state has its own building standards for kindergartens. These standards are often related to outdoor space, facilities, and the number of children per square meter.

Renovation and equipment: You may need to change your daycare building to comply with safety regulations and standards. For example, a kindergarten building in must have safe equipment for children, proper fire exits, and the like. Also, appropriate furniture and educational equipment for the intended age groups are mandatory.

4. Obtaining the necessary permits to open a kindergarten in Germany

Youth Welfare Department Permit: As the founder of a kindergarten, you must send your plans to the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) in the desired region for approval. The department will assess whether your facility complies with various legal requirements, including safety, health, and training standards.

Operating permit: You must also submit your application for an operating license (Betriebserlaubnis) to the Youth Welfare Office. The process for submitting this application includes providing detailed information about the curriculum, educational concepts, staff, safety measures, and insurance policies.

Contact us for information on other permits required to start a kindergarten.

5. Hiring staff in a kindergarten in Germany

Qualified personnel: Kindergartens in Germany must hire child educators who have a valid certificate (Erzieher*innen) and have received specialized training. You can determine the number of staff required by the child-to-staff ratio, which varies for each state in Germany.

Recruitment process: To run a kindergarten, in addition to educators, you will need to hire support staff and possibly a cook, cleaning staff, and administrative personnel.

6. Creation and development of an educational concept

Curriculum: You must develop educational concepts that match the educational philosophy of your kindergarten (Montessori, Waldorf, or bilingual). Also, when preparing and developing your curriculum, you should pay attention to German educational standards for early childhood.

Daily activity structure: You should plan your child’s daily activities, meals, playtime, and learning sessions according to their growth needs.

7. Ensuring financial stability as a founder of a kindergarten in Germany

Financing: Decide how to finance your daycare. Kindergartens in Germany often use a combination of public funding, parental fees, and private funding or grants to start and continue their activities.

Parental contributions: Here, you need to decide on the fee structure for parents. Remember that public kindergartens and some private kindergartens in Germany adjust their fees based on the parent’s income.

Public funding: Consider public funding sources that state or local governments probably pay. Entrepreneurs can typically receive subsidies to help cover their business operating costs in Germany.

8. Paying attention to insurance and regulatory compliance in Germany

Insurance: As the founder of a kindergarten, you will need liability insurance, building insurance, and accident insurance for children and employees.

Contracts: You should prepare contracts for your employees and the children’s parents. When drafting these contracts, comply with labor laws, data protection regulations (GDPR), and childcare laws.

9. Marketing and enrolling children in your kindergarten in Germany

Advertising: Now, you must develop a marketing plan to attract parents. This program can include local advertising, social media advertising, or collaborating with various groups or associations to introduce your daycare in the desired area.

Enrolling process: You need to define a transparent process for enrolling children in your kindergarten in Germany. This process should include completing application forms, interviewing parents, and ensuring compliance with local waiting lists.

10. Organizing daily operations and activities of a kindergarten in Germany

Management: Create a proper management structure for your daycare’s operations and daily activities, including staff schedules, communication with parents, and handling finances.

Parental involvement: In most German kindergartens, parental involvement is worthwhile. Therefore, elect a board of directors from parents or hold regular meetings to communicate with them.

11. Inspections and the need for ongoing compliance with regulations

Regular inspections: After starting the operation, the Youth Welfare Office and possibly other relevant bodies will regularly inspect your kindergarten. The inspection’s reason is to ensure you are consistently meeting German safety, training, and legal standards.

Continuous improvement: To maintain the quality of your kindergarten, stay up-to-date and constantly aware of the best educational practices and the latest changes in regulations.

More tips for starting a kindergarten in Germany

State-specific laws: Since Germany is a federal country, some regulations may differ among the different federal states. Therefore, it is essential to get advice on the specific laws of the state in question when setting up a kindergarten in Germany.

Language: If you plan to start a bilingual kindergarten, you must comply with both educational standards for teaching a second language and legal requirements for teaching the primary language (German).

In conclusion, starting a kindergarten is a big commitment and a highly regulated activity in Germany. However, with careful planning and a proper understanding of legal requirements, you can turn it into a worthwhile investment. To set up your kindergarten as quickly and comfortably as possible, you should use the guidance of experts. Our consultants at Wise Business Group can also help you on this topic. Contact us to receive advice.

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An overview of the steps to opening a kindergarten in Germany

To sum up, Starting a kindergarten requires following strict regulations and obtaining specific permits. To do this, you must follow these steps:

1. Estimate the demand in the target area and prepare a solid business plan.
2. Choose the appropriate legal form for running your daycare and register your business.
3. Choose a location for the establishment that complies with German building standards and safety regulations.
4. Submit your application for approval of programs and obtaining an operating license to the Youth Welfare Department.
5. Hire certified trainers and qualified personnel for administrative, support, or cleaning tasks.
6. Create an educational program according to the standards and pay attention to the children’s needs for growth in daily activities.
7. Decide how to finance the business and the cost structure for parents.
8. Obtain the required insurance and prepare contracts for employees and parents according to regulations.
9. Implement marketing measures and define a process for children’s registration.
10. Establish an appropriate management structure for daily activities and create conditions for maximum parental participation.
11. Be prepared for regular inspections by the Youth Welfare Office and continuously focus on improving the quality of your daycare.

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Setting up a company and registering a business in Germany

Contact us for more information about starting a company and registering a business in Germany. Our consultants will accompany you with years of successful experience in this field. We are here to help you set up your desired kindergarten with the fewest obstacles and in the fastest time possible. After all, you can use your expertise to earn money in a dynamic economy. To receive advice, contact us via the WhatsApp link below.

To quickly register your company in Germany, complete the form below and send it to us. Then, we will schedule a time for you to have a consultation.