Self-directed learning processes without performance pressure

The Objective of an inclusive kindergarten is to give every child — regardless of gender, nationality, or disability — the opportunity to develop their abilities freely. Stigmatizing performance-based principles would hinder this development.

Therefore, the approach of most inclusive kindergartens largely corresponds with the educational concept of Maria Montessori: It creates an atmosphere in which your child's individual strengths and weaknesses are taken into account. Self-directed learning processes without artificially induced performance pressure lead to partnership-based learning and more sustainable outcomes. Specially trained staff accompany and support the learning processes in a pedagogically valuable way.

Nursery and kindergarten: the first formative years

Benefits for children: Kindergarten years are formative for children: many come here into intensive contact with peers for the first time, learn to assert themselves in a group without parents and further develop their personality and interests. Last but not least, the kindergarten is an optimal preparation for everyday school life. Therefore, for most parents it is natural to send their child to kindergarten at the age of three.

Demand for nurseries is growing: There is also increasing need for care for toddlers: In recent years, the nursery care in Germany has been massively expanded. Here, necessity comes to the fore more than the pedagogical aspect. Many parents simply cannot afford to stay at home with a child for three years. The decision for a nursery or for a kindergarten parents often don't find it easy. After all, there are major differences in both the pedagogical concept, as well as size, costs and the care hours offered.

Daycare or kindergarten: The term 'daycare center' came with the full-day care services and was originally used to distinguish from conventional kindergartens that offered care only until midday. Meanwhile, the terms 'Kita' and 'kindergarten' are largely used synonymously. So there are daycare groups with children who are picked up at noon and many institutions that call themselves kindergartens also offer full-day care.

Legal and organizational matters: the most important questions

Parents have a legal right to childcare:

Since 2013, all children aged one year and older have a right to childcare. The care place must be within the municipality, but not necessarily in the preferred daycare center. Nevertheless, not all municipalities are keeping up quickly enough with the expansion of nurseries and daycares, so it may be that, despite the legal entitlement, a childcare place is available at short notice.

How do we get a daycare place?

The legal entitlement does not equate to a guaranteed daycare place: to get a daycare place you must register your child at the desired facility or have them put on the waiting list. Many parents put themselves on the lists of various daycares immediately after their child's birth to be sure of getting a place. Here you can find practical information on how to get a daycare place.

What is the right age for kindergarten, nursery & co:

Most nurseries accept children from 3-6 months at the earliest; at three years they move on to kindergarten. In many facilities these guidelines are applied flexibly depending on the child's development, so children can also start kindergarten at two and a half years.

What costs can we expect for nursery, daycare, or a childminder?

Care costs vary by federal state, but also depend on the type of care and the parents' income: parents in northern Germany usually pay more than in the south, private daycares cost more than public ones, and full-day care considerably more than a half-day place. Here you can find everything about how daycare fees are composed.

How do we find the right daycare center?

A "good" kindergarten

• The best kindergarten is the one where your child feels comfortable and whose hours and care concept fit your needs. You can find more selection criteria for a good kindergarten here.

Private or public?

• The decisive differences between private and public kindergartens are usually the costs and the pedagogical concept. Visit several daycares. Our test questions on private or public kindergartens can help you with this.

Parents' initiative

• Parent initiatives operate independently and offer a lot of creative freedom. At the same time, a great commitment is expected from the parents. Whether a parent initiative is right for you and your child, you can find out here.

Inclusive kindergarten

• Many different kindergarten concepts pursue inclusive approaches, but not all focus on integrative work. Read more about inclusive kindergartens.

English in kindergarten

• Opinions differ about the necessity of foreign languages in kindergarten. In practice it depends on the kindergarten concept. If you're interested in English in kindergarten, you can learn more here.

Which daycare concept suits my child?

Just like school concepts, daycare concepts vary widely. Especially private kindergartens often consistently follow a specific pedagogical approach. The most common daycare concepts include:

• Waldorf kindergarten:

  This is about the holistic development of body, soul and mind, which is promoted in free play by reenacting everyday situations.

• Montessori kindergarten:

  Self-directed learning under the motto 'Help me do it myself' is the focus in the Montessori children's house. The education provides incentives and supports when needed.

• Fröbel kindergarten:

  The inventor of the kindergarten, Friedrich Fröbel, was the first to recognize that children learn through play. From this he developed his concept of child- and age-appropriate care.

• Forest kindergarten:

  Forest kindergarten children spend the whole day outdoors and, guided by their educators, learn with and from nature.

It's best to visit the kindergartens you're considering yourself so you can see each concept in practice — the personal impression is often the most reliable.

Settling-in period: For a good start in nursery and daycare

The daycare settling-in process varies from institution to institution and from child to child. Many daycares work with special settling-in models such as the Munich model or the Berlin model, about which you can learn more here. Others adapt to the needs of the children and the parents, because for many parents the first separation from their child is almost harder than for the child. Discuss the settling-in before the start in nursery and daycare with the educators and get more tips and information on how the process works.

When the settling-in causes problems

Most children are fully settled into kindergarten life after about four weeks. Sometimes, however, there are tears at parting even after this period, or a child may start clinging long after the settling-in and refuse to let the parents leave in the morning. Now empathy and a bit of patience are required. Here you can read what to do if your child cries when saying goodbye at kindergarten.

Tips and information about everyday daycare life

The right equipment for nursery and kindergarten

In everyday daycare life, children need much more than just a kindergarten backpack. From slippers to good rainwear to sunscreen. Exactly what your child needs for nursery or daycare depends on the facility. Maybe you received a list before kindergarten started. If not, you can find a complete downloadable list of necessary equipment for kindergarten and nursery here.

Language support in kindergarten

In many daycares, children's language development is carefully observed by educators and, if necessary, supported by speech therapists. These don't have to be severe language deficits; even smaller developmental speech errors like lisping or incorrect initial sounds are addressed and playfully encouraged. In addition to games and group activities for language promotion, targeted support sessions are often offered for individual children when needed. Here you can read how language support in kindergarten is carried out.

My child doesn't want to go to kindergarten

All children sometimes feel unwilling to go to daycare. Right after the holidays they may not feel like going to daycare every morning because the free time with mom and dad was so nice. Also shortly before the holiday period children are sometimes just as "ready for a vacation" as their parents. But what if a child resists going to kindergarten for a long time? First of all, possible reasons should be explored: are there conflicts with other children or problems with the educators? We have tips on how you can deal with it if your child doesn't want to go to kindergarten.

Alternative forms of childcare

Nursery and kindergarten are not the only possible forms of childcare. Alternatives include childminders, grandparents or private care by friends and acquaintances. But even if your child has a daycare place, you may still need to use other forms of care, for example because the care hours do not fit your working hours.

Childminder or childcarer

Many parents use a childminder because they take children from baby age and because personal care in a family setting is ensured. Certified childcare providers must complete an appropriate course. Nevertheless, the quality of care varies greatly; experience and personality play a big role. Here you will find tips on what makes a good childcarer and where to find suitable care.

Babysitter

A Babysitter steps in not only in the evenings when parents go out or want to go to sports. Often babysitters are also needed when parents have an afternoon appointment or have to work longer and cannot pick their child up from nursery or daycare in time. Basically, anyone can take the job — whether teenager, retiree or a friendly neighbor. The most important selection criteria are mutual trust and that the chemistry between your child and the babysitter is right so that there are no problems with the care. We have compiled a checklist of what you should look for when choosing babysitters.

Au pair

Au pairs live with you in the family, help with childcare and also take on light household tasks. But they are not only there for childcare: the main focus is getting to know another country and culture. Families value au pairs because they live with the family and quickly become a caregiver figure for the children. However, family placement is not cheap: an au pair is entitled to a private room, a weekly pocket money and sufficient free time. Language courses and activities must also be made possible. So if you are looking for "cheap" babysitters, an au pair is not the right choice. Here you can read what to consider when choosing au pairs.