das  Betreuungsgeld

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈtʁeːʊŋsɡɛlt/

💰 What does 'Betreuungsgeld' mean?

Das Betreuungsgeld was a state social benefit in Germany paid to parents who cared for their children aged one to three at home instead of using publicly funded daycare (Kindertagesstätte or Tagespflege). It was financial support for home-based childcare.

🚨 Important Note: The federal Betreuungsgeld was declared unconstitutional by the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) in 2015 because the legislative power lies with the federal states (Länder). However, some states (e.g., Bavaria with its Bayerisches Familiengeld) have introduced or continued similar benefits.

It is a compound noun formed from:

• Betreuung (f): care, supervision, provision
• Geld (n): money

Together, the meaning is: money for care.

🧐 Grammar Focus: das Betreuungsgeld

The word "Betreuungsgeld" is a neuter noun. The article is das. It is declined like "das Geld" (money).

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural ("die Betreuungsgelder") is rarely used, as it usually refers to a specific amount of money or the concept itself. If used, it refers to different types or payments of childcare benefits.

Example Sentences

• Familie Müller beantragte das Betreuungsgeld.
  (The Müller family applied for the childcare benefit.)
• Die Höhe des Betreuungsgeldes war oft Gegenstand politischer Diskussionen.
  (The amount of the childcare benefit was often the subject of political discussions.)
• Mit dem Betreuungsgeld wollte man die Wahlfreiheit der Eltern stärken.
  (With the childcare benefit, they wanted to strengthen the parents' freedom of choice.)
• Die Opposition kritisierte das Betreuungsgeld als "Herdprämie".
  (The opposition criticized the childcare benefit as a "home-maker premium" [lit. 'stove premium'].)

🗣️ Usage in Context: When to use 'Betreuungsgeld'?

The term "Betreuungsgeld" is mainly used in the context of family policy (Familienpolitik), social benefits (Sozialleistungen), and public finances (öffentliche Finanzen).

• Political Debates: It was a central point in discussions about the compatibility of family and work (Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf), early childhood education (frühkindliche Bildung), and the role of the state in childcare. It was often controversially discussed (keywords: freedom of choice vs. disincentives for education).
• Application Process: Previously, the term was used in connection with the application process and eligibility requirements.
• Historical Context: Today, it is often mentioned when looking back at the family policy of the early 2010s or in comparison to current state-specific benefits (like the Bavarian Familiengeld).

⚠️ Avoiding Misunderstandings: It's important to distinguish the (former) federal Betreuungsgeld from similar but different benefits like Elterngeld (parental allowance) or Kindergeld (child benefit).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Geld (money). Betreuungsgeld is a type of money, so it inherits the article das.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you get Geld (money) for the Betreuung (care) you provide for your child at home – that's Betreuungs-Geld.

↔️ Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Terms

Similar but Different Terms:

• Elterngeld: Parental allowance, wage replacement benefit for parents after childbirth, regardless of the form of childcare.
• Kindergeld: Child benefit, a tax compensation payment for all children, regardless of care arrangements or parental income.
• Unterhaltsvorschuss: Advance maintenance payment, benefit for single parents if the other parent does not pay child support.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum wurde das Betreuungsgeld abgeschafft?
Weil selbst die Politiker gemerkt haben, dass man Liebe und Zeit nicht wirklich bezahlen kann – aber sie haben es zumindest versucht! 😉

(Why was the Betreuungsgeld abolished?
Because even the politicians realised you can't really pay for love and time – but at least they tried! 😉)

📜 A Little Poem

Das Betreuungsgeld, ein heißes Eisen,
sollte Eltern Wahlfreiheit beweisen.
Zu Haus das Kind, statt in die Kita schnell?
Dafür gab's Geld, vom Staat, zur Stell'.
Doch vor Gericht fand es sein End',
nun ist's Geschichte, die man kennt.

(The childcare cash, a heated thing,
Proof of parents' choice it aimed to bring.
Child stays at home, no daycare's race?
For that, state money found its place.
But in the court, its end was nigh,
Now just a story, passing by.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich war Geld vom Staat für Mama oder Papa,
wenn das Kleinkind blieb zuhaus', nicht in der Kita, oh lala!
Umstritten war ich sehr, politisch brisant,
und bin nun auf Bundesebene verbannt.

Was bin ich?

(I was money from the state for Mum or Dad,
If the toddler stayed at home, not in daycare, it's not bad!
Controversial I was, politically hot,
And now at the federal level, I am not.

What am I?)
... Das Betreuungsgeld (The childcare benefit)

🧩 Word Puzzle & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word "Betreuungsgeld" is a determinative compound noun. It consists of:

• Determinant (Bestimmungswort): die Betreuung (the care - noun)
• Determinatum (Grundwort): das Geld (the money - noun)

The base word "Geld" determines the gender (neuter), hence "das Betreuungsgeld". The determinant "Betreuung" specifies the purpose of the money.

Trivia:

• Das Betreuungsgeld was often nicknamed "Herdprämie" ('stove bonus' or 'home-maker premium'), a term suggesting the benefit tied women to the home, discouraging employment and early childhood education outside the home.
• Its introduction was a key demand of the CSU party (Christian Social Union in Bavaria) in coalition negotiations in 2009 and 2013.
• The Federal Constitutional Court's 2015 ruling did not base the unconstitutionality on the substance of the benefit itself, but on the federal government's lack of legislative competence for this type of family support, which falls under the jurisdiction of the states (Länder).