Apply for a licence to operate a day care centre
Performance specification
Daycare centres for children are the first educational institutions and take on a great responsibility in the education, care and upbringing of children. The daycare centre is of central importance for early childhood education.
When setting up a new childcare facility or changing an existing daycare centre, you must observe the legal requirements for the operation of daycare centres in advance.
Process flow
In accordance with the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code, you as the provider of the facility submit the application for an operating licence to the local youth welfare office.
The youth welfare office will advise you on the details of the operating licence. It will check the spatial, technical, economic and personnel requirements on site.
The local youth welfare organisation is responsible for developing and defining spatial criteria in accordance with the purpose and concept of the facility in consultation with the facility provider. Since 1 January 2014, the staffing requirements and group sizes have been based on the minimum requirements in accordance with the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code.
The local youth welfare office will send a copy of your application for an operating licence to the State Youth Welfare Office at the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration for final approval. It will check the completeness of the application in advance and comment on it in accordance with the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code.
If the requirements for granting the operating licence are met, the final decision is made. The State Youth Welfare Office issues the decision.
Which documents are required?
You must submit the application formally. You can obtain application forms from the youth welfare offices. Enclose various attachments with the application (e.g. staff list, concept of the centre).
What are the fees?
None.
Legal basis
- § Section 45 Eighth Book of the Social Code (SGB VIII)
- § 15 Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code (HKJGB)
- § 25 Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code (HKJGB)
- § Section 25a of the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code (HKJGB)
- § Section 25b of the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code (HKJGB)
- § Section 25c of the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code (HKJGB)
- § Section 25d of the Hessian Child and Youth Welfare Code (HKJGB)
Appeal
You can file a complaint with the competent local administrative court.
Who do I need to contact?
As the provider of the facility, you will receive the application documents for an operating licence from the locally responsible youth welfare office. The youth welfare office in whose area the existing or planned child day care centre is located is locally responsible.