You can find a flyer containing information on advice and help for families in Hamburg in German, English, Farsi/Dari, Arabic, Russian here: https://www.hamburg.de/resource/blob/39022/0cce1a87226a8fe4895a7310a519d7f6/beratung-familien-mehrsprachig-data.pdf.

How can I have my children looked after? (Kindertagesbetreuung)

In Germany, children who are not yet in school receive childcare in daycare centres (Kindertageseinrichtungen; Kitas) and from childcare providers (Kindertagespflege). At the daycare centre (Kita) or while childcare providers are looking after them (Kindertagespflege), children can play and learn German.

Daycare centre (Kita)

In the Ankunftszentrum (arrival centre), there is no childcare. When you move into another initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung), childcare in the initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung) or in a daycare centre (Kita) will be offered for children who are at least 1 year old.

All children who are no longer living in an initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung) and are at least 1 year old have a legal right to a place in a day care centre (Kita).

The place is free and comprises 5 hours of childcare a day (including lunch). The care period can be extended to up to 12 hours per day if the parents are working, participating in further education or training, taking part in a German course for migrants or an integration course. It is possible that you have to pay a small sum for the extended care period.

If you are living in an initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung) or a secondary accommodation (Folgeunterkunft) and are looking for a place in a daycare centre (Kita), please ask the Sozialmanagement (social management) of your accommodation for help. You can find information in simple German as well as several languages (Turkish, Polish, Russian, English, French, Arabic and Farsi/Dari) about the benefits of a daycare centre (Kita), there: https://www.hamburg.de/kitaplatz/.

In any case, your child’s stay at the day care centre is only free if you have a voucher for daycare centres (Kita-Gutschein). You can apply for such a voucher (Kita-Gutschein) here: www.hamburg.de/antraege/#anker_2.

Even if you are not staying in a public accommodation and do not have any residence documents, your child can visit a daycare centre (Kita). The legal residence status of you and your children will be treated confidentially by all parties involved.

The Clearingstelle in the Flüchtlingszentrum helps finding a place in a daycare centre for children aged 1 – 6.  Adenauerallee 10, please make an appointment: +49 40 284079133, ayasse@fz-hh.de. Your child will then be looked after for 5 hours a day and receive lunch.

In Hamburg there are various bilingual daycare centers (kitas) where the children speak Russian as well as German. One of them is the Kita Lüttkamp: Lüttkamp 35, +49 40 46638394 https://kitaluettkamp-in-hamburg.de/konzept.html . The information on the website is also available in German and Russian. If you would like to have your child looked after at Kita Lüttkamp, you can apply for a Kita voucher (Kita voucher) just like for all German daycare centers (Kitas). Then your child’s daycare place is reduced or free.

Other German-Russian-speaking daycare centers (daycare centers):

Day care (Kindertagespflege; supervision by trained childminders)

Additionally, to the care provided by a daycare centre (Kita) it is also possible to consider day care (Kindertagespflege).

It is particularly popular among parents of children under the age of 3 because of the family atmosphere. You can choose the childminder. Each childminder can look after up to 5 different children simultaneously.

From the child’s first birthday until they start school, childcare is free for up to 25 hours per week. If you work, do training or attend a German course, your child can even be cared for free of charge for 25 hours per week from birth until the age of 14. Care for longer hours is also possible. However, this support may be subject to a fee.

You can get advice here: https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/hamburg/11267302/, (search term: “Kinderpflegebörse”) then type your address.The Verein Hamburger Tagesmütter und -väter gives advice as well and helps to find places at daycare centres: Wandsbeker Chaussee 8, info@tagesmuetter-hamburg.de , +49 40 2003377, https://tagesmuetter-hamburg.de/

If you need help finding suitable day care for your child, you can get support from Diakonie Hamburg’s migration advice center: Königstraße 54. The advice is confidential and free of charge and can be provided in various languages, including German, English, Russian and Farsi. Make an appointment: +49 40 30 62 03 12 (Tuesday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (noon) and Thursday 12 p.m. (noon) – 2 p.m.) or mbe@diakonie-hamburg.de.

For refugee children from Ukraine, the Ukrainian Aid Staff Children’s Club (Kinderclub des ukrainischen Hilfsstabs) offers various activities for children between the ages of 3 and 12 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.): Kinderclub Lenzsiedlung Julius-Vosseler-Straße 193, +49 40 43096760. Dance classes for children take place on Saturdays. You can find the full programme here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XakKEWNYqvnWT68GP_sTJmeun1UtR4AwSrlWTxuXx1k/htmlview. You can register your child by sending an email with your child’s age, the desired date for course participation and your contact information to kinderbetreuung.hilfeua@gmail.com. Afterwards, they can find a suitable group for your child. You can find more information here: https://hilfe-ua.de. 

Parent-Child-Centres

Parent-Child-Centres (Eltern-Kind-Zentren) are meeting places for families with children under the age of three. You may also visit these centres with older children who are not yet attending school.

You can use the help on offer without complications, registration or a voucher for a daycare centre (Kita-Gutschein) as well as receiving advice on educational matters. No additional fees will be charged other than for lunch (cost contribution of 2 € per serving).

Parent-Child-Centres provide, among other things:

  • an inclusive parent-child-club,
  • play and learning sessions for children,
  • parent-child courses and offers, for example exercise and musical offers,
  • Parental education, information and guidance.

You can find locations and further information here: www.hamburg.de/eltern-kind-zentren/.

Due to the corona pandemic, you may need to follow special rules within the centres. For example, it could be necessary to make an appointment. Please call beforehand and ask about this.

The family planning center (Familienplanungszentrum) in Hamburg Altona advises you on various topics: for example, conflicts and crises during pregnancy and parental leave, financial issues during pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and contraception. You can get advice at the family planning center regardless of your residence status. The consultations are confidential. The consultations are free for young people. Adults have to pay a small fee for a consultation. The consultation can sometimes be free if you are unable to pay the amount. Talk to your employees about this.

Address: At Johanniskirche 20. Make an appointment in advance: +49 40 4392822. Further information in German and English can be found at: https://www.familienplanungszentrum.de .

Language courses with childcare
INCI Hamburg offers integration courses (Integrationskurse) with childcare for refugee women. The courses include a German course and an orientation course (Orientierungskurs), which deals with the topics of politics, history and society. At the end of the course, participants can take a test and obtain a German certificate for language level B1 or A2. After the orientation course, you will also take an official test. If you pass both tests, you will receive the “Integration Certificate” (“Zertifikat Integration”). If there are enough places available in the courses, women without a residence permit can also take part in a course as a “guest”. Children under the age of three can be registered for childcare. Your children can play there while you take part in the courses. Participation is free of charge for people receiving social benefits. Participants with a family income must pay a contribution towards costs. Advice and registration:

INCI e.V., Zeißstraße 26, +49 40 3903091 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 am – 1 pm), inci-sv@gmx.de, https://www.inci-hamburg.de/anmeldung/. 

The Hamburger Volkshochschule (adult education center) offers language courses for mothers in some elementary school. The course runs for the entire school year. In the course you can learn German and get to know your child’s school and the German school system. Participants meet once or twice a week in the mornings while the children are at school. Registration is possible at any time. Participation is free of charge. If you would like to know whether there is a German course for mothers at your child’s school or if you have any other questions, please contact:

+49 40 427313365, s.schumacher@vhs-hamburg.de or +49 176 42868514, c.blokker@vhs-hamburg.de  

Mamalies offers initial orientation courses and various offers for women who want to learn German (Monday to Friday). If you do not (yet) have a KITA place, you can have your child looked after while you take part in the course. You may not get a place on a course straight away, but will have to wait a little. If you are interested in a course, please contact:

Mamalies, Kreuzweg 7, +49 176 73552851 (Monday to Thursday 9 am – 1 pm), info@mamalies.de. Further information can be found here: https://mamalies.de/bildungs-und-begegnungszentrum-mamalies/. 

Who can I contact if I need a check-up for my child or if I have a child with a disability?

If your child has a disability or is in danger of becoming disabled, it might need special assistance and support. Then, your child for example has the right to medical care and can visit a daycare centre (Kita) that is tailored to children with a disability and ensures their inclusion and support.

You should go the medical check-ups (Vorsorgeuntersuchungen) with your child. There are 10 important check-ups that your child should do at different dates until it is 6 years old. For this, you can contact your Kinderarzt (paediatrician) shortly after the birth of your child. You can find a doctor here: www.kvhh.net/de/physicianfinder.html. When searching for a doctor, you have the opportunity to choose which languages you can speak, so you can find a doctor’s office where your native language is spoken.

There are various institutions that offer advice and support:

What information and services are available for children over 6) (School (Schule))

Every child in Germany has the right to education and is obliged to attend school. This also applies to children of refugees and children without documentation. School registration only requires an address in Hamburg. Attendance at school is free of charge.

You can find help with the school registration process and enrolment here:

  • Schulinformationszentrum (school information centre) for children from 6 to 16 years old.
    Hamburger Straße 125a,, please make an appointment: zuschulung@bsb.hamburg.de, +49 40 428992211 (Wednesday and Thursday: 10 am – 12 pm (noon), Tuesday: 2 pm – 4 pm), https://www.hamburg.de/bsb/siz/.
  • Informationszentrum des Hamburger Instituts für Berufliche Bildung (Hamburg Institute for Vocational Training Information Centre; for young people aged 16 and over. Hamburger Straße 125a, please make an appointment: informationszentrum@hibb.hamburg.de, + 49 40 428634236. Please include the following information in the e-mail: Full name and date of birth of the young person(s), country of origin (including the language spoken by the young person) and the place of residence of the young person(s). You will then receive an invitation to a counseling appointment, https://hibb.hamburg.de/beratung-service/informationszentrum-hibb/.

Make an appointment at the Schulinformationszentrum and visit there together with your child to enrol your child in school. The school system comprises two parts; first, 4 years of primary school (Grundschule) followed by a secondary school (Stadtteilschule or Gymnasium). The Abitur (final secondary school examinations in Germany, required for entry to university) can be obtained both at a Stadtteilschule and a Gymnasium.

The children attend preparatory courses and learning groups to prepare for lessons at German schools.

If you are living in an initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung), your children might attend school within the accommodation.

You can find more information on the topic of education here: https://we-inform.de/portal/en/education/.

It is possible to receive a lump sum in the amount of 195 € per school year to buy school supplies for your child. Please contact the social welfare authority (Sozialbehörde): https://www.hamburg.de/politik-und-verwaltung/behoerden/sozialbehoerde/schulbedarf-44916. You can also find the application here: https://www.hamburg.de/resource/blob/44914/cc3267ccc68c93e30a0f7678d8fd8091/antrag-schulbedarf-bildungspaket-data.pdf.

You can also receive financial support to pay for additional tutors, lunch, bus and train tickets for your child. Ask about this at your child’s school.

Zeit für Zukunft – Mentoren für Kinder (time for future – mentors for children) finds mentors for children between 6 and 16 to help them developing their potential at school and generally in life. Boys get a male mentor, girls get a female mentor. The child and the mentor meet 2-4 times a month. You child should speak some German or English.

Mitmachen@zeitfuerzukunft.org, +49 40 41623120. Here (https://www.zeitfuerzukunft.org/) is an online registration form that you can use to register your child.

The AWO’s “Starthilfe Project” offers student coaching for young people between the ages of 14 and 18. Every young person gets a coach. With their coach, the young people can practice for school and learn German. You can also talk about career prospects, internships and other things that are currently on their mind. The offer is free. Young people who are interested in the project can write an email to info@starthilfe-hamburg.de or call +49 162 1373465.

Multi-generation houses (Mehrgenerationenhäuser) also offer a place for young people and children, parents and older people to interact. The various multi-generation houses have different offers such as a public living room or a handicraft course for children aged 2-5. You can search for a multi-generation house near you at this link: https://www.hamburg.de/familienwegweiser/563382/mehrgenerationenhaeuser/.

In playhouses (Spielhäuser), children and young people can meet up with other children or take part in group activities. You can find playhouses in your area here: https://www.hamburger-spielhaeuser.de/spielhaeuser/sh_uebersicht.htm. Click on the respective playhouse in your area to find out about opening hours and offers.

How do I receive child benefits (Kindergeld) and other financial support?
If you are already entitled to live and work in Germany, you can also apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) and child benefit (Kindergeld). It is important that you keep the child’s birth certificate.You can apply for child benefits (Kindergeld) and a supplementary child allowance (Kinderzuschlag) at the Familienkasse (office for family benefits) of the Bundesarbeitsagentur (federal employment agency). Unaccompanied minors can apply for the child benefits (Kindergeld) themselves. You can find more information and application forms here: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/en/download-center. If you have any questions, call +49 8004555530.

You can apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) if you earn less money because you are looking after your child. Parental allowance (Elterngeld) can only be applied for up until your child’s second birthday. You can apply at the Elterngeldstelle (office for parental allowance). You can find the competent office, which also offers advice, here:  https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/suche/ (Search term: „Elterngeldstelle“, then enter your address.

The Integrationszentrum of the Diakonie Hamburg Integration Center supports you in getting child benefit (Kindergeld) and parental benefit (Elterngeld): Winterhuder Weg 31. Make an appointment in advance: +49 40 357719940 (Monday 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm, Tuesday 10 am – 12 pm (noon), Thursday 2 pm – 4 pm and Friday 10 am – 12 pm (noon)), iz-nord@diakonie-hamburg.de .

Children younger than 18: if your child wants to take part in activities outside of school, you can receive 15 € to finance them. You have to prove that your child participates in an activity. You can use the money to pay for the activity itself or to pay for equipment (for example sports wear). This includes for example

  • Culture: theatre workshops
  • Music: music lessons
  • Sports
  • Camps

You can find more information in German here: https://www.hamburg.de/bildungspaket-kultur-musik-sport/. You can find an overview about financial support for your child in your language here: https://www.hamburg.de/bildungspaket/4125952/faltblatt-bildungspaket/.

Ask any questions here: +49 40 428637778 or publikationen@soziales.hamburg.de.

What advice centres (Beratungsstellen) are there?

The Jugendmigrationsdienst (Youth Migration Service) is an advice centre for young people with a migrant background between the ages of 12 and 27. They provide support for young people with their educational, vocational and social integration process in Germany. For example:

  • Your search for German courses
  • Issues at school
  • Your search for tutoring services
  • Career orientation (apprenticeship (Ausbildung), vocational school, university)

At the same time, they are also able to answer parents’ questions regarding their children’s education and schooling.

They also offer group projects and  promote volunteer work.

Jugendmigrationsdienst (Youth Migration Service) Hamburg
Glockengießerwall 3, please make an appointment: ute.gruetter@cjd.de, +49 40 211118113.

You can find other Jugendmigrationsdienste here: https://www.jugendmigrationsdienste.de/suche?tx_kesearch_pi1%5Bsword%5D=Hamburg#c1258

You can also ask for advice online here: www.jmd4you.de. Register here by entering your e-mail address or a user name and creating a password. After registering, you can ask questions in the chat and by e-mail in various languages (including English, Russian and Arabic).

The Kinderschutzbund Hamburg arranges sponsorships between unaccompanied refugee minors and trained volunteer sponsors who support the young people with career guidance, learning German and integration in Hamburg. If you are looking for a sponsor, you can contact them at +49 15752834525, patenschaften_umF@kinderschutzbund-hamburg.de, Sievekingdamm 3.

Parent schools (Elternschulen) provide a place in various parts of the city where parents can receive support and advice on topics such as parenthood and childbirth. It is also possible, for example, to meet and exchange ideas with other mothers and fathers at “baby meetings” (Babytreffs). Many of the offers are free, but some offers require you to pay a small fee. Sometimes you can be exempted from paying. In some parts of the city there are special offers for people who have fled to Germany. Register in advance. You can find a parent school near you here: https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/suche/elternschule/ (search term: “Elternschulen”).

Parenting advice centers can also advise you on questions about parenting, children and families. You can find educational advice centers here: https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/info/11256469/n0/ (search term: “Erziehungsberatung”), enter your address below.

What services are available for pregnant women and mothers?

Pregnant women are entitled to special protection in Germany. This protection also applies if you decide that you do not want to have the child. You are entitled to special medical care and advice. You should go to a gynaecologist (Frauenarzt or Frauenärztin).

Your doctor will give you a pregnancy record booklet (Muterpass) if you are pregnant. The pregnancy record booklet (Mutterpass) is a small booklet in which doctors document your pregnancy. In case of an emergency, doctors can find in the booklet the information they need to best take care of you and your child. Therefore, you should always carry the pregnancy record booklet (Mutterpass) with you.

Advice for pregnant women and parents (even without papers or registration):

  • Profamilia: Seewartenstraße 10, Haus 1, please make an appointment: hamburg-beratungszentrum@profamilia.de, +49 40 309 97 49 10 (Monday to Friday: 10 am – 3 pm); you can call here about medical questions, sexual counselling, relationship counselling, financial and other support regarding the pregnancy and before giving birth. Sometimes a consultation is already possible in the first phone call. If this is not the case, you will be given an appointment for a consultation. Consultations can take place on site, but are also possible by telephone or video call. Discuss this with the person responsible on the phone when making the appointment. Consultations can be held in German, English, Turkish, Spanish and Farsi. However, language mediators can be called in for other languages, so that consultations in other languages are also possible.  
    There is also a consultation hour where parents or other people close to a young person or child can get advice on sexuality and puberty in children and young people, +49 40 309974920 (Wednesday: 2 pm – 4 pm). There is a youth consultation hour (Jugend-Sprech-Stunde) for young people. There, young people can ask questions on topics such as puberty, sexual orientation and gender identity, 040 309974920 (Wednesday: 2 pm – 4 pm), www.profamilia-hamburg.de 
  • Caritasverband für Hamburg e.V.: The Caritas offers online consulting: https://www.caritas.de/hilfeundberatung/onlineberatung/
    schwangerschaftsberatung/start    .
  • Helpline for “Pregnant Women in Need” (Hilfetelefon für “Schwangere in Not”): Pregnant women can get free, anonymous advice around the clock at +49 800 40 40 020 in 19 different languages, for example in Ukrainian, English and Russian. You can also get advice online in a chat or by email. To do this, visit the following website: https://www.hilfetelefon-schwangere.de
  • Diakonie Hamburg’s pregnancy advice center also offers free and confidential advice for pregnant women in English and Russian: Königstraße 54. Make an appointment in advance: +49 40 30620-208 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.), schwangerenberatung@diakonie-hamburg.de, https://www.diakonie-hamburg.de/de/rat-und-hilfe/frauen/schwangerschaft-und-schwangerschaftskonflikt-beratung/index.html.

There are information centres for mothers where children and especially infants can receive a medical check-up free of charge. Have someone accompany you who is able to translate if necessary. You can find information centres for mothers here: https://www.hamburg.de/service/info/11262466/n0/ (www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/, search term: “Mütterberatung”), then enter your address.

Further services for new or expectant mothers are available at the IN VIA Association:

  • Practical help after the birth, Edith-Stein-Platz 1, Monday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. 
  • Psychosocial counseling, Edith-Stein-Platz 1, Tuesday to Thursday by telephone appointment. 
  • Counseling center for women, families and pregnant women, with midwife consultation and breakfast, Edith-Stein-Platz 1, Thursday 10 am – 12 pm. 

If you have any questions about these offers you can find out more information here: +49 40 73508411, dittrich@invia-hamburg.de.

You can use the app “HanseBaby”. Here, you can find information about paediatric practices, gynaecologist offices, consulting and help services as well as financial support options. The app offers an overview about important steps during a pregnancy (for example when to make an appointment at a maternity clinic): https://www.hamburg.de/hansebaby/13577142/app/.

You can find information about healthy food for pregnant women, mothers and babies in different languages here: https://www.hamburg.de/altona/gesunde-ernaehrung-muetter-und-babys-broschueren/.

Where can I search for family members?

If you want to get into contact with family members who are already in Germany or have been separated from your family while fleeing, there are several ways to find your family.

  • The search service of the German Red Cross helps people who have been separated from one another through wars or migration to get back into contact and search for their family members: auskunft@drk-suchdienst.de, +49 40 432020.
  • The Diakonie Hamburg migration advice center can also help you with family reunification: Königstraße 54. Make an appointment in advance: +49 40 30620312 (Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon), Thursday 12 p.m. (noon) to 2 p.m.), mbe@diakonie-hamburg.de . Consultations are free and confidential and can be conducted in a variety of languages, including English, Russian and Farsi.
Who do I turn to in the event of conflicts in the family?

Every family has conflicts. In Germany, there are various counselling centres to help you resolve these conflicts in a productive manner.

Conflict advice for adult refugees who are attending a German language course or integration course:

  • Der Begleiter e.V.:  Herzog-Carl-Friedrich-Platz 1, first floor, make an appointment beforehand: +49 40 60773353 1 (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm), for conflict counseling for adult refugees who have recently immigrated to Germany, are taking part in an integration course or have been living in Germany for some time and find themselves in a crisis situation. Counseling sessions can be held in German, English and Russian. You can also send an email to migration@der-begleiter.de.  
    If you are a refugee from Ukraine, please contact +49 40 60773353 3 for help specifically for refugees from Ukraine. 
  • Diakonie Hamburg’s migration advice center also offers confidential and free advice on family conflicts: Königstraße 54. Make an appointment in advance: +49 40 30620-312 or mbe@diakonie-hamburg.de.
  • If you are a woman affected by domestic violence, you can call the violence against women helpline anonymously and free of charge at any time: +49 8000 116016. You can also call the number without credit on your mobile phone. If you would like, the responsible advisor will provide you with support options and offers of help in your area.

Last Updated: 01.08.2024