From 1 August 2024, parents in the state of Brandenburg will no longer have to pay daycare fees for the care of three-year-olds until they start school. The costs will be borne by the state. Since 2018, the last year of nursery care before school enrolment has been free of charge in Brandenburg, and since 1 August 2023 the penultimate year as well. The exemption from contributions in kindergarten only applies to those services that the daycare centre provider provides as part of its mandate under the Kita Act. It does not apply to meals or to services provided by third parties, such as language lessons.

Daycare centres receive compensation from the districts and independent cities for the loss of revenue: A standardised lump sum of 125 euros per child will also be paid in 2024 for the exemption from contributions in the last year of daycare before school enrolment and for the gradual expansion to the entire kindergarten sector. From 1 January 2025, the flat rate will be 105 euros for the new non-contributory groups and unchanged at 125 euros for the non-contributory groups in the last year of nursery before school enrolment. However, the law stipulates that the appropriateness of the lump sums is still being evaluated.

Your contacts for questions relating to childcare and school law in our practice are the lawyers Dr Beate Schulte zu Sodingen, Franziska Wilke and Charlotte Blech.