Childcare in Germany

Terra Wyczawski & Rebecca Leibiger

 Nursery Schools

For children from birth to age three

A nursery school is a location where children under the age of three

have the ability to play with children of the same age.

All areas within the programs are: age-appropriate meals, naps, and
outdoor play. The nursery schools are flexible about drop-off and
pick-up times.

Nursery schools are run by private and public agencies as well as

churches. Prices can vary depending upon the families income.
Availability can differ by region
 Preschools

For children aged three to six

The German word for preschool is Kindergarten.

Preschools are focused upon active play as well as curiosities of the young
children.

Preschools perform simple experiments and play-based instruction that

teach children about nature and technology as the children focus upon
thinking and language skills.

The preschool day normally begins in the morning that typically ends
either at noon or in the afternoon, which depends upon the specific facility.
 Preschools Cont.

Preschools are typically run by: cities, churches, associations, and

other private entities.

Preschools as well as nursery schools have prices that vary widely.

Some preschools have no fees at all that the location charges. Other
preschools may cost several hundred euros per year, which depends
upon the parents income and the region.
 In-home Daycare Providers

For children of any age

In-home daycare providers have the ability to supervise children while the
parents are at work. Generally, the providers take care of additional
children, so the children are guaranteed to have contact with peers.

In Germany, nannies are an option. Contrasting to in-home daycare

providers, nannies have the ability to come into the home. In-home
daycare providers and nannies usually are not required to be trained early
childhood educators. They do need to be certified by the youth welfare
office, and the majority of providers have a great deal of experience with
children. For example, an in-home day care provider can charge an average
of 300 ($319.93) to 600 ($639.87) euros per month for a 20-hour week.
 The German Education System

The Federal Ministry of Education in Berlin has a role in funding,

financial aid, and the regulation of vocational education and entry
requirements in the professions.

OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)

is an intergovernmental economic organization with 35 member
countries, founded in 1960 to stimulate economic progress and world
trade.
 Germanys School System

When children are at least six years old, they are required to attend
school. A vast majority of German schools are run by the state; there
is no charge for the children to attend. In addition, there are private
and international schools, which charge fees.
 Germanys School System

Primary school: Typically, six-year olds begin their school careers with primary school,
which includes first through fourth grade. In Berlin and Brandenburg, primary school
extends through sixth grade. At the end of primary school, the childs teacher and parents
will decide where the child will enter fifth grade, which depends upon the childs
performance.

Hauptschule (Secondary Schools): (non-academic secondary school for grades five

through nine or ten) Students who successfully complete the Hauptschule or Realschule
are eligible for vocational training or can transfer to a Gymnasium.

Realschule (Secondary Schools): (mid-level secondary school for grades five through ten)

Gymnasium (High School): (academic secondary school for grades five through
twelve/thirteen) At the end of the 12 th or 13th grade, students will receive a diploma upon
passing the Abitur examination. This entitles the students to study at a university.
Pictures
Evangelical Integrative Preschool Pfiffikus (Cost)

Costs

4-5 hrs. 88,00 Euros ($93.85)

5-6 hrs. 96,00 Euros ($102.45)

6-7 hrs. 104,00 Euros ($110.98)

7-8 hrs. 112,00 Euros ($119.52)

8-9 hrs. 120,00 Euros ($128.06)

 Cost Cont.

For a child with an additional sibling, the charge is reduced. If there

is a third sibling within the family, then the child is free of charge.
 Food at German Schools

MhrenOrangenSuppe (Carrot and orange soup)

Fischschnitzel mit Kartoffeln und Remoulade (Fried fish with

potatoes and remoulade sauce)

Kartoffeltaschen, Brokkoli und Curry Soe (Stuffed potato pockets,

broccoli and curry sauce)

Penne mit Bolognese (Penne pasta with meat-based tomato sauce)

Sptzlepfanne (Schwabian noodles, cheese and vegetables)

 School Day in Germany

Typically, the German school day has started at 8:00 a.m. and
finished at 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. and that is often still the case. In
recent years, there are some schools in Germany that have started
offering a full day of education (Ganztagsschule). The schools offer
study hours for homework, extracurricular activities and a hot lunch
at the cafeteria.
 Class Schedule

German secondary schools have a class schedule that resembles a US

college schedule, with different classes offered each day. A few
subjects are taught three days per week, with others taught only
twice a week.

Mondays consist of four 45-minute classes that sometimes double

90-minute classes, which include: math, history, art, and English.

Tuesdays consist of: German, religion, calculus, French, and PE.

Break periods are normally short and long, which are during the day.
Child-to-staff ratios
 Child-to-staff ratios in pre-schools

For children attending pre-school, certified teacher-to-child ratios are

calculated by dividing the number of full-time equivalent children
enrolled in pre-school programs by the number of full-time
equivalent teachers at that level.
Teacher Salary
 References
Evangelischer Integrativer Kindergarten Pfiffikus :: Ausstattung / Vernetzte Kirche. (n.d.).
Website - Evangelischer Integrativer Kindergarten Pfiffikus :: Ausstattung. Retrieved April
09, 2017, from http://pfiffikus-oberferrieden.e-kita.de/index/index/page/1
OECD Family Database. (2010, January 7). Quality of childcare and early education
services. Retrieved April 9, 2017, from http://www.oecd.org/els/soc/37864559.pdf
OECD. (2006). Germany . Retrieved April 9, 2017, from
http://www.oecd.org/education/school/37424318.pdf
Cologne Institute for Economic Research. (n.d.). Guide to living in Germany. Retrieved
April 9, 2017, from http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/fileadmin/content/make-it-in-
germany/PDF/Guide-to-Living-in-Germany_en.pdf
(n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2017, from https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/
Schober, P. S., & Stahl, J. F. (2014). Childcare Trends in Germany--Increasing Socio-
Economic Disparities in East and West. DIW Economic Bulletin, 4(11), 51-58.
 References
Bhardwaj, M., Baum, U., Markevych, I., Mohamed, A., Weinmann, T., Nowak, D., &
Radon, K. (2013). Are Primary School Students Exposed to Higher Noise Levels than
Secondary School Students in Germany?. International Journal Of Occupational &
Environmental Medicine, 4(1), 2-11.