A person who wishes to care for a child or several children outside the household of the legal guardian for part of the day and for more than 15 hours per week for more than three months in return for payment requires a permit in accordance with the legal basis in Book Eight of the German Social Code (SGB VIII). This is issued by the local youth welfare office, which is located in the districts or independent cities. The permit is limited to five years. It may be subject to additional conditions. The permit authorizes the care of up to five foreign children present at the same time.