From our grassroots founding in 2009 to our expanded, multilingual vision today, KinderHaus has remained guided by a single belief: childhood deserves reverence. We are a community built on care, language, nature, and the shared vision that education should nourish the whole child.

Our Story: Built by Community, Inspired by Children

KinderHaus began with one mother’s search for a nurturing German language preschool for her child, in New York City and discovered that it didn’t exist. Joined by a passionate teacher, determined to create the environment they envisioned, together, they communicated a vision.

What followed was a remarkable coming together of the German community in Brooklyn. At the first open house, families expanded vision for what KinderHaus could become. It wasn’t your typical open house. There were no polished classrooms or curated tours, just a living room, passionate teachers, and a group of parents who had to rely on imagination. But they leaned in, together, dreaming up what an ideal environment and education could look like for their children. That shared vision became the foundation for what would grow into KinderHaus. The German-speaking community rallied behind the idea. Parents offered to help, some with education expertise, others with knowledge of city regulations, to help navigate the complex process of licensing and zoning. Architect parents together with teachers pitched in to transform a residential building into a child-centered learning space that felt both safe and inspiring, believing that children thrive best when surrounded by pedagogically trained teachers, earth and space to imagine.

As KinderHaus grew, so did the team’s dedication. Teachers rolled up their sleeves to install doorknobs and build garden planters by hand, and as KinderHaus expanded, the spirit of collaboration only deepened. The outdoor spaces quickly became a treasured haven, rare gems in the heart of Brooklyn.

When the Department of Health recommended artificial turf, our teachers pushed back. Children should dig in real dirt, climb wooden stumps, and feel the textures of the natural world.

That commitment to authenticity became our compass.

Over the past 15 years, KinderHaus has welcomed more than 800 families, becoming New York City’s first German Immersion Preschool and Pre-K. What began as a grassroots program has evolved into a full-day, year-round, multilingual early education hub rooted in research, play, and deep respect for the child.

A Community That Builds Together At KinderHaus, families are partners, not just parents. Whether volunteering to build raised beds in the garden or lending legal expertise to navigate zoning laws, our community has always been part of our foundation.

Our teachers rolled up their sleeves to install door knobs and paint classrooms. Our outdoor spaces were carved out with intention, not convenience. Our curriculum has always grown from the children themselves, honoring their voices, rhythms, and imaginations.

Still Guided by Our Founding Beliefs Today, KinderHaus is expanding into a multilingual, globally connected program that welcomes children from 6 months through Pre-K. But our core remains unchanged:

• Childhood is sacred.
• Language is a bridge.
• Nature is a teacher.
• Community is everything.

We are proud of how far we’ve come—and excited about what’s ahead.

KinderHaus isn’t just a school. It’s a place where imaginations are honored, cultures are shared, and children are seen. And every day, we still carry the spirit of that very first open house, where a few families said yes to something not yet built.

Learn More About Us

Want to dive deeper into who we are?

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Watch our short videos below to learn more about our educational philosophy and our research-based curriculum, including our renowned Toy-Free Classroom approach, immersive bilingual programming, and the ways we support emotional, cognitive, and physical development through play.