Depending on the region and the school, the quality of education that an expat would get for their children in Germany is quite high, but varies greatly.
The education system in Germany is decentralised in such a way that the participation of the national government is minimal, and schools are under the control of individual states (Länder).
In Germany, schooling is mandatory between the ages of seven and 18, and the majority of parents will enrol their children in a nursery/kindergarten at the age of three.
The German system of education is considered to be progressive because it caters to students across all ability levels. In addition to the conventional academic subjects like maths, science, geography, history and languages. The German system also gives students a chance to venture into vocational subjects in case they are more oriented to them.
German public schools
Even though the quality of the German public schools is rather high, they are only an actual alternative to expats. Those who are coming to Germany to stay long-term or have children, who are still young enough to learn a new language more efficiently. The majority of expats in Germany then enrol their children in a bilingual school or an international school.
Dual language schools in Germany
Bilingual schools are still deemed as public schools; thus, there is no enrollment fee. Such schools provide two curricula children can study: one in which they can learn depending on their mother tongue and one in German.
Schools in Germany
Most of the expats choose to take their children to the international schools in Germany because they provide the easiest transition to the new country. The international schools follow the curriculum of the country to which it is sponsored. Either American, UK or French and also teach using the language of the country.
Germany has a long tradition of excellent early childhood education, emphasising play-based learning, building social skills and outdoor play. The kindergarten that is best for your child is what you make of it, based on what you want: a Waldorf, a Montessori, a bilingual, a forest kindergarten (Waldkindergarten) or a state-paid kindergarten.
The best schools
Some of the most popular and highest-rated kindergarten approaches in Germany:
Waldkindergarten
Focus: nature and the outdoors, miniature toys.
Best application: Parents who desire their children to spend as much time as possible developing strength and creativity.
In the country and suburbs (e.g. in the Black Forest and Bavaria, Lower Saxony) , where to find Common.
Montessori Kindergartens
Accent: Pedagogical approach focusing on students ‘ independence, applied tasks.
Suited to: Parents who espouse self-directed learning and mixed-age classes.
Where: Montessori schools can be found in many cities (e.g. Munich, Berlin, Hamburg).
Waldorf (Steiner) Kindergartens
Knowledge: Creativity, imagination, natural resources, no digital resources.
Best suited: Parents who want holistic, arts-based education.
Where to get it: More than 1,000 Waldorf kindergartens in Germany (e.g. Stuttgart, Cologne, Freiburg).
Bilingual Kindergartens (english-german, french-german)
Emphasis: Language immersion (usually English or French in addition to German).
Ideal: Expat families or parents who desire their child to be a multilingual speaker.
Although the international schools tend to provide a high quality of education, small classes, a variety of extra-curricular activities and good facilities. The main negative factor of sending a child to one of such schools is the high cost. Expats must thus attempt to negotiate an allowance to pay the school fees when negotiating the relocation package.
Kindergarten nurseries in Germany
German preschools are known by a name similar to the English language: Kindergarten. They are operated by either city governments, religious groups, organisations specifically established or other privately-owned organisations and concentrate on play-based learning to develop the social, creative and language skills of children. Bilingual preschools can be provided by international schools or private providers in certain regions.
Germany nannies/childminders (Tagespflege)
In Germany, the term used is officially gender neutral and is called Tagespflege, but the word you are most likely to hear is Tagesmutter. A childminder cares about your child in their own home, as the name suggests. In Germany, the childminders are permitted to look after a maximum of six children simultaneously. Nannies usually visit your residence to take care of your child(children).
Before and after school (Schulhort)
Before and after school care are types of daycare that involve children aged six and above who attend primary school. It is offered by the schools themselves in order to create the gap between finishing school and parents leaving work and collecting their children. Your local Schulhort will offer what facilities it can and what the local demand is, and so it may vary enormously from region to region. After-school care fees will depend on which provision is being provided, the length of time your child is under care and finally, whether food is included.
Germany Kita types
There are as many variants of schools in Germany as there are variants of Kita. Some are publicly funded, some are privately owned; some may even have a certain educational concept or philosophy, such as Montessori or Waldorf Kindergartens. Then there are so-called integrative Kitas where both children with and without a handicap are looked after, and bilingual Kitas where they are taught both in German and a second language. The kind of Kita you select influences the form of early years education your youngster would get and the charges.
Putting your child in daycare in Germany
After you have chosen, you must now apply to a place at your Kita of choice. Application varies, in that it is either publicly- or privately-funded.
You can view these posts:
Things to know before immigrating to Germany
Getting Germany’s passport
Frequently Asked Questions on Germany
