Contribution towards costs for the care of a child in day care

The contribution for lunch is a fixed part of the cost contribution from 25 hours of care per week, with which the parents participate in the costs of child day care depending on their income. Any agreements with the daycare provider that go beyond this are of a private law nature and do not change the amount of the parental contribution.

According to the contribution regulations, recalculations are possible during the year if there is a significant change in circumstances that results in a lower level in the contribution table.

The income of the parents living in the same household and their children entitled to child benefit is used to calculate the contributions. If the child lives with only one parent, his or her income and, if applicable, the income of a new spouse is taken into account. The income of the new partner's natural children is then also included in the calculation if they use day care, as well as the income of joint natural children.

The joint income does not include:

• Unmarried stepparents or stepparents not registered as domestic partners.
• Children of a new spouse/life partner, if they are not themselves cared for in a daycare center or in daycare for children
• Grandparents

The amount of the parental contribution depends on your financial and family situation. The following factors play a role in the calculation:

Family income, siblings in fee-paying care, household size, amount of care.

Information on the income of the parents or legal guardians is required to determine the cost contribution. The financial circumstances of the penultimate calendar year before the start of the kindergarten year are decisive for determining the contribution.

Exception: If your income has significantly improved or worsened, the income circumstances of the last calendar year or the last 12 months before the start of the kindergarten year can be taken into account.

In principle, the respective annual gross income less income-related expenses is taken as a basis.

The following applies to all types of income:

The sum of the positive income within the meaning of Section 2 (1) of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) is offset. Offsetting with losses from other types of income and with losses of the jointly assessed spouse is not permitted.

• For non-self-employed persons

A lump sum of € 1,000.00 in income-related expenses is currently deducted from the gross annual income, unless higher income-related expenses are proven. Further special expenses or losses are not taken into account.

• For self-employed persons

Positive income from self-employed work (e.g. trade and agriculture and forestry) is the profit. Further special expenses or losses are not taken into account.

The sibling discount is granted when several children in the family are receiving fee-based care at the same time. In such cases, each of the contributing siblings receives one of the following discounts:

1st sibling: 30%

2nd sibling: 40

3rd and further siblings: 90%.

The oldest child receives the lowest discount.

Children who are exempt from contributions are not taken into account.

Yes, because the exemption from contributions relates solely to the age of your child and is independent of the form of care in the facility. Only when your child reaches the age of 3 does the care for your child become non-contributory. For birthdays in the current kindergarten year, this means that you will pay monthly contributions until the month in which your child turns 3. From the month of birth, the contribution is no longer due.

If, for example, the income situation deteriorates significantly, e.g. due to loss of employment, an adjustment of the subsidy can be requested. An informal application with reasons is sufficient for this. In addition, copies of the income documents of all members of the income group must be sent along. The income documents should reflect the new income situation after the date of the change.

The parental contribution office will then check whether an adjustment can be made.

In the event of the birth of a sibling, a request for adjustment of the contribution may be made.

This usually results in two points in time at which an adjustment of the subsidy is examined:

1 . From the month of birth, the household size is increased, so this may result in an adjustment of the contribution.

2 . As of the receipt of parental allowance, the family's income situation changes, so that an adjustment can also be checked as of the date of receipt.

After the birth of a sibling, parents should therefore apply for an adjustment. The application should be accompanied by a copy of the birth certificate and the parental allowance notice, as well as copies of the current income statements of all other members of the income group, so that the family's new income situation can be checked correctly.

Please note: Always state the child's name, date of birth and care facility in the application.

Yes. Submitting current Bremen Passes ensures that the cost of lunch will be waived for your child even after the Bremen Pass expires.

In addition, if you submit a Bremen Pass, your child will be able to take part in excursions and outings at the institution within the framework of the education and participation package and will not have to pay the costs for these himself/herself.

For this reason, please always submit copies of new Bremen Passports, stating the name, date of birth and the and the name of the childcare facility.

You can find more information about the Bremen Pass here: https://www.bremen.de/leben-in-bremen/bremen-pass

Please submit the Bremen passport/notification as soon as you have it (copy by mail or post).

Information about the payments you have made can be obtained from the Landeshauptkasse Bremen:

Phone: 0421 361-97772
Fax: 0421 361-4909
e-Mail: buchfuehrung2.bkz100-399@lhk.bremen.de

Information about the reason for the claim can be obtained from the Parental Contribution Office:

Phone: 0421 361-10304

e-mail: tagespflege@kinder.bremen.de