Education, school, training, studying, work
Experience shows that foreign citizens planning a longer stay in their host country integrate more quickly if they make educational, training or working arrangements at an early stage. This chapter gives you an overview of childcare services, the school system, further training options and the job market.
Day care for children
Reliable day care for children is an important factor for parents who have to combine family and employment. Münster offers a wide range of children's day care and nursery facilities. Children gain their first experience with children of the same age. They learn German and about German culture through play and normal everyday activities. The child’s development will be professionally monitored and supported. Childcare attendance is not compulsory. However, once a child reaches the age of one, parents have a legal right to a place in day-care. The Münster City Familienbüro (Family Support Centre) helps families to find a suitable solution for their needs.
- Amt für Kinder, Jugendliche und Familien, - Familienbüro (Office for Children, Young Adults and Families, - Family Support Centre), Junkerstraße 1
ph. 02 51 / 4 92-51 08
familienbuero(at)stadt-muenster.de - www.stadt-muenster.de/jugendamt
Monday to Friday from 9 am - 12 pm, Thursday afternoons from 2:30 pm - 6 pm and by arrangement
Finding the right day-care facility
There are different types of childcare for children of all ages. The Familienbüro will be happy to provide more information. As well as nurseries, there are also childminders, who look after small groups of children. Many nurseries and day-care facilities organise information events for parents.
Many nurseries are equipped to meet the requirements of children with special educational needs. Don’t hesitate to seek advice for extra help if you have a child with special needs.
- For basic conceptual questions on day-care:
Andreas Wildemann, ph. 02 51/ 4 92-51 33
wildemann(at)stadt-muenster.de - The Kita-Navigator is a practical database with profiles of all day-care facilities and gives an overview about childcare in Münster.
www.kita-navigator.stadt-muenster.de - www.stadt-muenster.de/jugendamt/kindertagesbetreuung/kindertageseinrichtungen/ anmelde-und-aufnahmeverfahren.html
Registering for a place
Registering for a facility is easily done online via the Kita-Navigator, as well:
If you need help using the Navigator, the Familienbüro will be happy to assist. The nursery year always begins in August and children need to be registered by the previous 31st January. If parents require childcare for their child at short notice or in the course of the year, the Familienbüro advises on the options available.
How much does day-care cost?
Contributions depend on the parents' income. For parents with a joint pre-tax income of less than 3000 euros per month, nursery places in Münster are free of charge. If you have more than one child, you still only pay for one child.
- Gabriele Bauer, ph. 02 51 / 4 92-51 47
bauerg(at)stadt-muenster.de
Services for school children
Most schools provide care for children after teaching hours and provide pupils with a lunch service.
- Please see "School education".
Services for all children
Parents who have an appointment in town or who wish to shop in peace in the city centre can take advantage of the childcare service (available for a maximum of three hours per day) provided in the "Maxi-Turm", which is centrally located on the Prinzipalmarkt, next to the Town Hall. There is no need to register children in advance. The "Maxi-Turm" is designed for children aged between three and ten years of age, and is open from Mondays to Fridays from 2 pm to 6 pm and from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. From May to September, a sandy play area ("Maxi-Sand") is set up on the Syndikatplatz in the city centre for families with young children.