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City responds to rising operating costs / Low-income families can apply for relief
The city of Darmstadt, a center of science and research, will adjust parental contributions for childcare across all providers, as well as meal costs for city-run daycare centers, effective August 1 , 2025. This was decided by the city council at its meeting on Wednesday, April 2.
The reason for the adjustment is the increased operating costs resulting from inflation, higher consumer prices, and pay increases in the public sector. According to Mayor Barbara Akdeniz and City Treasurer André Schellenberg, moderate compared to other cities .
New fees from August 2025
The contribution amount still depends on the child's age and the scope of care:
- Nursery (under 3s) with up to 50 hours of care: from €253.12 to €270
- Kindergarten (over 3 years old) with up to 50 hours of care: from €101.25 to €150
- Kindergarten (Module B) with up to 6 hours: remains free of charge
- After-school care : from €179.15 to €220
Quality is maintained
The city emphasizes that despite rising costs, Darmstadt's quality standards in early childhood education will remain unchanged. Akdeniz adds:
"Darmstadt not only offers comparatively low parental fees, but also long childcare hours. In the surrounding region, fees are often significantly higher, while the services offered are shorter."
According to the city, the return to module D (up to 50 hours per week) after the temporary reduction also addresses a key concern of many families.
Support for low-income families
Parents with low incomes can apply to the Darmstadt Youth Welfare Office for a fee waiver or reduction . Meal costs be covered by the Office for Social Affairs and Prevention or the Darmstadt Job Center as part of the Education and Participation Package
Further information and application forms are available on the websites of the City of Darmstadt and the Darmstadt Job Center .
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
