burdettp

Hi,
I have been offered a job in Stuttgart and would move out to live there with my partner and two children who are 5 and 1.

One of our worries is about schooling for our 5 year old. She has already started school in the UK and is reading and wriitng and progressing really well. We know that children don't start school in Germany until they are 6, but what we're concerned about is that if she went to pre-school or Kindgergarten until September 2019 (which we believe has an emphasis on play and not formal education as such) she wouldn't feel stimulated and her education may suffer as a result. Are we correct about the pre-school education at the age of 5 in Germany ? And also is there anyone from the UK that has been through a relocation with similar issues ? We'd be very interested to hear how they found the education transition for their 5 year old.

Thanks for your help,
Paul

dmu

Hi, I've no personal experience in Germany, but I think that your daughter will be stimulated enough, learning to speak German with her new-found playmates and doing all the activities "in German". When she goes up to Primary School, her vocabulary and syntax will be at the same level as her peers and she'll understand what she's reading and writing in German like a native. On the other hand, keep up her reading and writing skills in English, at home!

dmu

Just spoken to DD1 who actually works in private Kitas (giving fun classes in French and English) and she confirms what I said. You shouldn't worry that your daughter's education might suffer by going to a Kita!

burdettp

That's great, thank you for the information and re-assurance. Is a KITA another name for a kindergarten ?

scot47

KITA is short for

Kindertagesstätte

literally "Child Day Place"


Another name for Kindergarten, which, after all, my not be in a "Garden"

dmu

You beat me to it!
It's understandable why it's abbreviated to Kita! If the OP isn't aware, there should be a slight pause between the two "s", as the second one is pronounced "sh".

Novocastrian

Ganz richtig.

@OP we moved from Canada to Germany when our boys were 4 and 2. At those ages they are language sponges. Both were fluent within 6 months (attending Kindergarten) and both did extremely well academically later on.

Don't worry: they'll be fine.

gottheTshirt

My grandchildren moved to Dortmund aged 6 and 8, we were amazed at just how quickly and easy they fit in. No problem with stimulation, they were both speaking fluently within 6 months. School hours are 7.30 to 12.30 but most children stay at school until 4.00 pm. After school activities or just playing with friends in the school grounds. Much more stimulating than sitting with an I Pad. Notable is that Germany is not a nanny state and there is much less attention to risk assessments and health and safety. I find that to be a good thing. But you may consider taking a couple of bottles of TCP and a roll of bandages.