The 2023 daycare assistance amount under the Institutional Child Care Project is 100 euros per month. In addition, a one-time stationery support is applied at 100 euros. The daycare assistance amount for 2023 under the “İşte Anne” (Working Mother) Project is 3,300 TL.
Daycare supports are implemented within specific projects. These projects may be launched or paused from time to time. Because some initiatives operate only in pilot regions, daycare assistance is not available in every city.
Municipal free daycare centers are designed to support women by enabling them to continue their careers while their children are cared for in safe facilities.
Eligibility Requirements for Daycare Assistance
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the project. The conditions to benefit from the Institutional Child Care Project include:
- Residing in one of the pilot cities: Ankara, Malatya, Elazığ, Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, or Antalya
- Having a child aged between 0 and 60 months
- Being employed in a job with social insurance
- Household income not exceeding twice the minimum wage
- Regularly sending the child to daycare
- If the mother becomes unemployed, the child must continue attending daycare (in that case support continues for an additional three months)
Applications for the Institutional Child Care Project are currently closed. If applications reopen, you will typically need to submit the following documents:
- Daycare assistance application form
- Identification document
- Payroll or pay slip
- Residence certificate
- Family registration extract
- Rental contract for those who live in rented accommodation
- Daycare enrollment form
To benefit from the İŞKUR “İşte Anne” Project, applicants must meet these conditions:
- Have a child under 15 years old or adopt a child within that age limit
- Participate in İŞKUR vocational training or on-the-job training courses
- The mother must meet the conditions required for vocational training or on-the-job training
How Much Is Daycare Support in 2023?
In 2023, daycare support under the Institutional Child Care Project is 100 euros per month for eligible participants. Under İŞKUR projects, beneficiaries receive support of 3,300 TL. These amounts may change over the years and are adjusted according to economic parameters.
How Can a Working Mother Receive Daycare Assistance?
For a working mother to receive daycare assistance, relevant project applications must be open. There are no ongoing daycare application rounds for 2023 at the moment. The Institutional Child Care Project opened quotas for 10,250 mothers; since that quota has been filled, no new applications are being accepted under that project.
To benefit from İŞKUR programs, you can apply through your local İŞKUR directorate when applications are open.
Istanbul Municipality Free Daycare Centers
Istanbul Municipality offers free daycare centers where you can entrust your child to qualified care. The municipality aims to establish daycare centers in each neighborhood, focusing on families who find it difficult to afford private daycare.
Applicants to these centers are evaluated according to various criteria: financial situation, special needs, parental separation or death, and other social circumstances. Documentary evidence and social assessments are completed before final decisions.
Social and economic factors are converted into a scoring system. Families with higher need are prioritized for free daycare based on this score. There is no strict limit on who can apply, but applicants should live relatively close to the centers because these daycare facilities do not provide transportation services.
All Istanbul residents may apply, but priority and suitability depend on proximity to the “Yuvamız İstanbul” centers and daily access considerations.
Ankara Municipality Free Daycare Centers
Ankara Municipality’s free daycare centers are labeled as children’s activity centers. These serve children aged 36–66 months. Children of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality staff are eligible to attend these centers.
Those receiving other municipal social assistance can also apply to the free centers. Instead of taking the cash daycare allowance, families may choose to enroll their child in a municipal daycare center. Activity centers operate in areas such as Batıkent, Ahmetler, İşçi Blokları, Şentepe, and Altındağ.
To apply for these centers, use the “Apply” link on the children’s activity center website. Applications are typically opened at the start of academic terms and may close during the term.
Izmir Municipality Daycare Options
Izmir Municipality does not operate entirely free daycare centers, but it provides municipally run services that are more affordable than many private alternatives. Operating since 1980, these are known as İZELMAN daycare centers, and there are municipal preschools for older children as well.
Daycare enrollment accepts children aged 18–36 months; preschools enroll children aged 36–72 months. Applications are handled directly through the facilities.
All families with children in the relevant age range may apply, but municipal employees’ children are prioritized. Public servants who do not have access to workplace daycare may also receive priority.
Bursa Municipality Free Daycare Centers
Bursa Municipality’s free daycare centers serve children aged roughly 48–68 months and support families with limited financial means. These centers offer morning and midday groups and provide meals such as breakfast and lunch.
Known as the Ana Kucağı Child Education Centers, these facilities collectively serve over 450 children. While there are currently six centers, the municipality aims to expand this network.
Applications for the Ana Kucağı centers are made through the municipality’s BUSMEK portal. After selecting the Online Application section, choose the Ana Kucağı option and complete the membership steps to proceed.
Complete the registration and submit any required documents to finalize your application.
Tekirdağ Municipality Free Daycare Centers
Tekirdağ Municipality operates free daycare services that enable children from low-income families to access preschool education. The programs follow the national curriculum and include social activities alongside educational content.
Tekirdağ also runs a Children’s Academy that accepts children aged 60–69 months, providing free education plus support for transport and meals. Admission priority is given to families with lower incomes.
E-Government (E-Devlet) Daycare Assistance Application
To apply for daycare assistance via E-Devlet, visit the official portal at turkiye.gov.tr and sign in. Search for “Institutional Child Care Services” to reach the relevant service page.
Clicking the relevant service typically redirects you to the SGK application page at uyg.sgk.gov.tr.
From there, choose “Go to Application” to access the application screen when applications are open.
Who Is Eligible for Daycare Support?
Eligibility for daycare support depends on the specific project or municipal program. The Institutional Child Care Project targets employed women who have young children and aims to prevent interruptions to their careers. This project operates as a pilot in selected provinces.
The Institutional Child Care Project is intended for children aged 0–60 months and includes an income cap: household earnings must not exceed twice the minimum wage. Beneficiaries must regularly send their children to daycare.
The İŞKUR “İşte Anne” project covers children under 15 and requires participation in vocational or on-the-job training. Municipal programs have their own criteria—some serve only municipal employees, while others focus on children from financially disadvantaged families.
Applicants who meet the required standards and submit the necessary documents can be considered for daycare support. Municipalities evaluate applications and prioritize families with the greatest need.
To apply for municipal daycare services, submit your application directly to the relevant municipality. For SGK and İŞKUR supports, monitor their websites and apply when application windows open. The 2023 daycare assistance amounts can help families access quality preschool education for their children.