German School System: Kindergarten Vocabulary and Concepts

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the history, types, structures, and key terminology of the German kindergarten and childcare system.

die Pädagogik

Pedagogy, education science.

der Schöpfer

Creator, founder.

der Ansatz

Approach, perspective.

die Aufbewahrung

Keeping, storage.

die Einrichtung

Facility or institution.

die Bildung

Education.

die Erziehung

Upbringing, education.

der / die Erzieher(-in)

Childcare worker or educator.

die Betreuung

Care, supervision, support.

die Förderung

Support, encouragement.

begreifen

To comprehend, grasp, understand.

Friedrich Fröbel

A German educator who was the creator and founder of the first kindergarten.

Kinderbewahranstalten

Early childcare facilities prior to the kindergarten where children were merely kept or stored.

der Alltag

Daily routine.

die Baumaterialien

Building materials, such as sticks, moss, leaves, and branches found in nature.

s. austoben

To let off steam or romp around.

die Verbundenheit

Closeness, bond.

der Zusammenhalt

Togetherness.

hautnah

Up-close.

zur Verfügung

At one's disposal.

Waldkindergarten

A forest kindergarten where children spend their day outside in nature, building with natural materials instead of plastic toys.

Eingewöhnung

The settling-in phase where a parent stays close to the child at the beginning of their time in kindergarten.

Morgenkreis

Morning circle, an activity where children and educators discuss topics, share how they feel, and sing together.

die Kindertagesstätte (Kita)

A daycare center where children play, make friends, and learn skills such as the German language.

die Kinderkrippe

A childcare facility for infants and young toddlers ranging from a few months old up to $3$ years old.

die Tagesmutter / der Tagesvater

A childminder who looks after a small group of children inside their own home.

die Spielgruppe

A playgroup attended together by parents and young children, or where children are cared for for just a few hours.

der Hort

An after-school care program for schoolchildren running until 16:00 or 17:00, typically providing lunch.

der Rechtsanspruch

Legal claim or entitlement, such as the legal right established in 2013 for children starting at 12 months ($1$ year) old to have a daycare place.

klagen

To sue; taking legal action where a court decides if parents receive compensation due to the lack of a childcare spot.

der Erziehermangel

Staff shortage of educators and childcare workers in Germany.

die Fachkräfteoffensive

An initiative or campaign aimed at mitigating skilled-staff shortages.

die Schulpflicht

Compulsory school attendance required for children starting at age $6$ or $7$.

die Unterstützung

Support or assistance, such as financial help provided by the Job-Center or Sozialamt to cover daycare fees.