When is my child ready for kindergarten?
Normally the kindergarten age starts at three years. But that does not mean that every child can take up a kindergarten place immediately after their third birthday. Many kindergartens only admit new children once a year, at the start of the new school year after the summer holidays. But it's not enough that a place is available; your child must also be ready to cope with everyday kindergarten life and interacting with other children and educators.
Kindergartens support development:Experts agree that children benefit from kindergarten. This not only refers to professional care and various support options, but above all to interacting with other children, which promotes children's social skills and independence. Many parents who have concerns about starting kindergarten, for example because their child is very shy, are amazed by the developmental progress their child makes in the first year of kindergarten.
Motor and language skills are prerequisites:Children develop at different rates. Therefore, it is not so much the age but the individual development that determines readiness for kindergarten. Children should be able to communicate sufficiently and follow instructions from educators. Motorically, your child should be able to take part in everyday routines such as washing hands, brushing teeth, tidying up toys, setting the table or participating in crafts. This can be the case as early as two-and-a-half or only at three-and-a-half years.
Better not to start too early:An early start in kindergarten, for example because a place becomes available at short notice or because the parents have to return to work, can be stressful for a child. The lively daily routine in kindergarten — with laughter, rough play and shouting — can quickly become constant stress for two-year-olds. When a child is ready for daycare depends on the child's personality and developmental level, but also on the size and focus of the daycare centre. Trust your gut, but if necessary you should first keep your child in the nursery or have them cared for by a childminder.
Do kindergartens only admit children from the age of three?
Legal entitlement:From the age of three, every child in Germany has a legal entitlement to a kindergarten place. Since 2013 this entitlement also applies to crèche places for every child aged 1–3 years. However, this does not mean that a place in the desired crèche or daycare will be available immediately on the first or third birthday. The entitlement refers to any childcare place within the municipality.
Admission at the start of school:Many daycare centres arrange admissions for new children according to the school year: whenever a year group starts school, places for new daycare children become available. However, this only applies if a group is fully occupied. If places are already free, they are allocated as needed. It's best to talk to your preferred daycare centre in good time to set a possible start date.
Admission at two years old?If a child is developed accordingly, most kindergartens also accept children from two-and-a-half years. This requires that a daycare place is available and that no three-year-old needs that place, because due to the legal entitlement the older child has priority in the allocation of places.
When can my child go to the crèche?
About one third of children under three are cared for in a crèche. For the majority, crèche time starts at just under one year. At this point, statutory parental leave ends and the legal entitlement to a childcare place becomes effective. However, there are also children who go to the crèche much earlier, for example because the parents have to return to work. Most children's crèches accept babies from the age of three months at the earliest, and in general settling in at this age is easier than later at one year. However, babies under six months basically require one-to-one care by crèche staff, which cannot always be guaranteed. Many educators also recommend placing a baby in the crèche at the earliest at six months or alternatively having them cared for by a childminder.
Image credits
Childminder plays with her children © Krakenimages.com - AdobeStock
Child walks holding mother's hand © dusanpetkovic1 - AdobeStock
Two toddlers play on the floor © Krakenimages.com - AdobeStock
