Language plays a key role within our educational concept. Our bilingual German-English nursery school attaches great importance to providing a high degree of support in both German and English.

The children learn the two languages according to the so-called immersion method. Each nursery school teacher speaks exclusively in his or her native language of either English or German. This enables the children to learn both languages within a natural context via the morning circle, at meals and through songs, stories and games. Our daily routine reinforces language acquisition.

We encourage the children to express themselves in both languages. We also adopt a patient approach which allows each student to progress at his or her own pace.

Our curriculum follows the recently revised British “Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum” and the German curriculum for the relevant federal state. The aim of the curriculum is for children to understand themselves and their relationship with others and their environment. It divides the children’s development into six different areas.

Personal and social development : children learn to respect their own needs and those of others, to unfold their own personalities and to develop assurance, confidence and consideration in their dealings with others.

Communicative and linguistic development : we support children in the understanding and speaking of English and German and enable them to gather initial experience in the reading and writing of both languages.

Mathematical development : children are provided with practically oriented access to mathematical concepts before they actually begin to learn formal arithmetic.

Creative development : we provide the children with a wide range of materials and input in order to facilitate their creative development in areas such as art, music, dance and poetry.

Physical development : age appropriate physical development is important for a child’s health as well as serving as the basis for cognitive development. For this reason, we foster the children’s fine and gross motor skills and their ability to handle tools as well as making them aware of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle.

Parents are the primary and most important educators of their children. For this reason, we very much see parents as our partners and provide a regular insight into the work that we do in order to enable them to follow their children’s development and give the necessary support.

Our notice board displays information on forthcoming events, daily activities and menu plans. We hold regular parents’ evenings and offer progress updates on each individual child. There is also a newsletter to keep parents up to date on the latest daily news from the nursery school. Parents are invited to take part in certain activities such as excursions and reading support and are of course welcome to participate in our celebrations and festivals.

Our aim is for children to develop the confidence and motivation they need for their future educational path. For this reason, we offer a Reception class in the year before students enter school proper.

At Reception children gradually accustom themselves to a daily school routine. The rooms at the Reception are set up in a similar way to classrooms. Although the routine itself remains play-based, children are still able to learn how to develop their powers of concentration.