New digital kindergarten fee calculator for the city of Jena
With the launch of the new digital kindergarten fee calculator on the city's website, the city of Jena is now offering a modern and user-friendly online tool that allows families to calculate kindergarten fees or parental fees in advance in a simple, transparent and non-binding way. The tool is based on the new kindergarten fee statutes, which have been in force since October 2025.
The fee calculator has been extensively revised and technically redesigned by the city's IT department. In addition to a clearly structured design, the tool boasts new functions: Parents can now calculate according to both the previous fee statute (valid until September 2025) and the new fee statute - and thus compare both results.
Advantages for families
The digital fee calculator offers several advantages for parents:
- Transparent comparison options between the old and new fee statutes,
- Quick assessment of whether and which documents need to be submitted for the recalculation.
When the new Kiga fee regulations come into force, all families in Jena will have to be recalculated. This comprehensive task poses major organizational challenges for the Family Service staff. Around half of all facilities have already been recalculated and the others will follow in stages. The Family Service employees are working flat out to implement the new statutes. They are being supported by colleagues from the Citizens' Service to make the transition as smooth as possible for families.
"With the new Kiga fee calculator, we are creating a high degree of transparency and giving families in Jena a reliable guide as to how much they are likely to pay under the new fee statutes. In this way, we are making the changes individually comprehensible online, giving parents planning security at an early stage and strengthening the city's citizen service," explains Benjamin Koppe, Mayor and Head of Finance, Security and Citizen Services.
"My special thanks go to the employees in Family Services, who are currently doing an enormous amount of work to implement the recalculations for all families as quickly as possible. Their commitment and dedication will ensure that the introduction of the new fee regulations is a success," emphasizes Koppe.
Background: Fairer distribution of nursery fees
The new Kiga fee statute, which has been in force since October 2025, provides for a fairer distribution of fees. The fee rate has been reduced from 13% to 10%, while allowances increase significantly from the second child onwards. This will provide noticeable relief for middle and low-income families in particular.