Parental contributions for school childcare

Parental contributions for school childcare

The amount of the contribution depends on income. This is regulated in the statutes of the city of Bochum on the collection of parental contributions for the use of child daycare facilities, child daycare and extracurricular childcare services (parental contribution statutes).

• Parental contribution statutes for child day care

• Beitragstabellen ab dem 01.08.2025

Once a contract for school childcare has been concluded, the school administration office will request a self-assessment of the current annual income. The parental contribution to be paid monthly is determined on this basis. At a later date, the self-assessment will be reviewed on the basis of proof of income.

Please note the Notes on data protection.

Who has to pay a parental contribution?

The parents or the parent or legally equivalent persons with whom the child demonstrably lives predominantly or exclusively are liable to pay contributions.

When is the parental contribution due?

The due dates are listed in the assessment notice. The current contribution is payable on the 1st of each month.

What happens if the parents separate?

The parent or legally equivalent person with whom the child lives predominantly or exclusively is liable for payment. Only the parent's income is decisive. In the case of the alternating model, both parents remain liable to pay contributions.

Which income is relevant?

The decisive factor is the income actually earned in the calendar year.

Is the gross or net income taken into account?

Positive income" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act is taken into account: gross income less income-related expenses. For self-employed persons, the profit according to the tax assessment is decisive.

What else is counted as income?

• Spousal maintenance

• Wage replacement benefits (e.g. unemployment benefit I)

• Child maintenance of the child in care

• Parental allowance

• Tax-free income (e.g. from mini-jobs, severance payments, bonus payments)

• Pensions

• Pensions

• Sickness benefit

• Maternity benefit

• BAföG

• Scholarships

• Public benefits to cover living expenses

What documents must be submitted for first-time participation?

The "Binding declaration of parental income" form is always required. This serves as the basis for the provisional calculation. The income in the current calendar year is decisive. It is not necessary to appear in person to submit the declaration.

Recipients of transfer benefits (e.g. ALG II / citizen's allowance, asylum seeker benefits, social welfare benefits) must also enclose a copy of their current benefit notification.

In addition, the tax assessment notice and the statement for the month of December of each calendar year in which the child is cared for must be submitted without being asked.

Can the parental contribution be changed after it has been set?

Yes, a recalculation is carried out if your income changes. The annual income is decisive, so that the contribution is recalculated for the entire year.

How is a change in income taken into account?

Changes in financial circumstances must be reported immediately and documented with evidence. This can be, for example, the first payslip from the new employer or a notification of public benefits. As the basis is the annual income, the last old statement is also required.

Once the documents have been received, an estimate of the annual income is made and an amendment notice is issued. Adjustments to payments are only to be made after receipt of the amendment notice.

For what period are parental contributions payable?

Parental contributions must be paid for each month in which a valid childcare contract exists. The fees are always charged for the full month.

What options are there for payment arrears?

If an additional claim cannot be paid in one lump sum, it is possible to submit an application for payment in installments to the school administration office.

Who can be exempt from parental contributions?

Exemption is possible for recipients of:

• Benefits according to SGB II (citizen's allowance)

• Benefits according to the 3rd and 4th chapters of SGB XII

• Benefits in accordance with §§ 2 and 3 of the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act

• Housing benefit under the Housing Benefit Act

• Child supplement according to § 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act

The exemption applies in each case for the proven duration of benefit receipt.

What applies to siblings?

If more than one child in a family attends a childcare service subject to contributions at the same time, the parental contribution for school childcare is reduced by 50%. From the third child onwards, the contributions are waived completely.

What should I bear in mind when moving house?

A move is the School administration office immediately.

I would like to have the contribution debited - what needs to be done?

A direct debit form is available for recurring payments.
Fill out direct debit form online

Is the tax-free allowance for children taken into account when calculating contributions?

The recognized tax-free allowances for children in accordance with § 32 of the Income Tax Act (EStG) are deducted from the calculated income from the third child onwards. The income tax assessment notice serves as proof. Child allowances for the first and second child are not taken into account.

Can parental contributions be tax-deductible?

Parental contributions can be claimed as childcare costs in the income tax return to reduce income. Certificates of contributions paid are not issued.

We live in a registered civil partnership - what do we need to bear in mind?

The income of the biological parent in whose household the child lives predominantly or exclusively is taken into account. The income of the partner is only taken into account if the child has been adopted.