German Immersion PreSchool & PreK

German Immersion Program – Our founding program, designed for children ages 6 months to 5 years, our founding German Immersion Program combines the academic depth of early literacy, numeracy, and science with the joyful, wonder-filled experiences of childhood.

Led by native German-speaking educators with degrees in early childhood education, KinderHaus is a nurturing, multilingual community that helps each child find their voice, build resilience, and fall in love with learning.

By Age Group

Infants & Toddlers (6 months–1.5 year)
“Startklar”—Ready from the Beginning
In our calming, sensory-rich Krippe, infants and toddlers build trust, explore through movement, and begin understanding the rhythms of group life. Teachers gently guide them through:

• Secure attachments and social bonding
• Sensory play using natural textures and sounds
• Body awareness and growing independence
• Milestone development in a nurturing, bilingual environment

Preschool & Pre-K (2–5 years)
Early Academics through Play
Children transition from exploring the world with their senses to actively shaping it with words, ideas, and imagination. Our Pre-K children regularly exceed New York State Department of Education standards in literacy and math, while still playing in mud kitchens and inventing new games with friends.

What Makes KinderHaus Exceptional?

Full Language Immersion

From lullabies and storytime to cooking and outdoor play, children are fully immersed in the target language throughout the day. Even our youngest students begin to:

• Sing, speak, and understand in context
• Build vocabulary through repetition, songs, and conversation
• Develop phonemic awareness and early writing in a natural, intuitive way

Language learning at KinderHaus is never forced—it grows organically from real connection and meaningful experiences.

Why start at 6 months?

‘Startklar’—Ready from the beginning
Infants and toddlers flourish in calm, consistent, and sensory-rich environments. We gently guide children as they:

• Build trust and form secure attachments
• Explore the world through touch, sound, and movement
• Develop body awareness and emerging independence
• Reach developmental milestones at their own pace

Through close observation and collaboration with families, our teachers ensure a smooth transition into group life, laying the foundation for confident, lifelong learning.

How do children become bilingual so early?

Early Literacy & Inquiry

Our emergent literacy curriculum is rooted in storytelling, conversation, and dramatic play. Children:

• Create their own picture books
• Retell stories with puppets and props
• Begin forming letters, identifying sounds, and composing simple narratives

At KinderHaus, children don’t just learn to read—they become storytellers.

How do we explore math and science through play?

Whether counting raindrops, comparing leaf sizes, or predicting what sinks or floats, children engage with math and science through real-world inquiry:

• Sorting, patterning, and counting during snack prep or block play
• Observing seasonal changes during outdoor exploration
• Using tools like magnifying glasses and measuring cups
• Conducting hands-on experiments with guest scientists

For example: When Dr. Nina Gnaedig, a malaria researcher from Columbia University, visited our classroom, she helped children grow (safe) bacteria in petri dishes, introducing the scientific method with awe and wonder.

How do children learn about people, places, and culture?

Our classrooms reflect the diversity of our world. Through storytelling, cooking, music, and celebrations, children learn to honor their own heritage and appreciate others’:

• Celebrate Laternenlauf, Fasching, and global holidays
• Cook traditional German and international recipes
• Hear visiting authors like Wiebke Sohst read their stories from across the world
• Share their own family stories, foods, and languages

“When I shared my favorite Tanzanian lullaby, everyone danced!” —Amara, age 4

How do art and creativity support development?

We believe that creativity is a child’s first language. That’s why every day includes:

• Open-ended art using natural, recycled materials
• Dramatic play with costumes and homemade props
• Process-based projects that emphasize exploration over perfection

Whether sculpting with clay or acting out a thunderstorm, children express who they are and who they’re becoming.

Why is music such a big part of every day?

At KinderHaus, music is as essential as air. From fingerplays and rhythm games to dancing with scarves and playing instruments, children develop:

• Gross and fine motor coordination
• A sense of rhythm and joy in movement
• Familiarity with traditional German songs and global tunes

Music doesn’t only happen in a specific class, it’s part of every moment.

How do we help children feel connected and confident?

Our supportive environment helps children:

• Build independence in daily tasks (preparing and serving snacks, dressing, toileting)
• Manage emotions and resolve conflict with support
• Feel seen, secure, and celebrated for who they are

Group rituals like morning circle, goodbye songs, and celebration of milestones build belonging and trust.

Daily Structure & Pedagogy Each day is intentionally structured around interconnected, theme-based learning. Through small group collaboration, emergent curriculum, and cross-disciplinary projects, children explore:

• Early Literacy & Phonological Awareness
• Mathematics & Scientific Discovery
• Creative Arts, Music & Movement
• Social Studies & Global Awareness
• Social-Emotional Development

A Day at KinderHaus

Every day follows a familiar rhythm with room for wonder:

3:00–6:00 PM | Afterschool Program – A relaxed and enriching extension of the day with outdoor play, baking, crafts, movement games, and storytelling in a smaller group setting

Inspired by Waldorf & Reggio Emilia Our curriculum draws from both Waldorf and Reggio Emilia traditions—honoring the child’s voice, rhythm, and imagination. We believe the environment is the “third teacher,” offering:

• Natural materials over plastic
• Open-ended spaces for exploration
• Freedom to follow curiosity across disciplines

Our Toy-Free Classroom Philosophy 

At KinderHaus, fewer toys mean more imagination. Our month long “toy-free” research-based approach replaces commercial toys with natural materials like wood, fabric, stones, and everyday objects. It means:

• Children invent games and scenarios using scarves, pinecones, and cardboard tubes
• Verbal skills soar as they explain their creations
• Focus and deep play increase—children even sleep better during these weeks!
  It’s a reminder that imagination is the best educational tool of all.

Why Immersion?

• Children acquire their target language naturally through daily routines and play
• Prepares children for bilingual education pathways in the US or abroad
• Full cultural experience with celebrations, traditions, and songs

Ready to Begin?

Let us show you how playful, powerful, and personal early education can be. Whether you’re raising a multilingual child or simply seeking a loving, joyful start to school life, KinderHaus is a place where children thrive.