Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Admissions to KinderHaus
At what age can my child start at KinderHaus?
Children can begin at KinderHaus as early as 1 year old.
Does KinderHaus use a waitlist for students whom it cannot accommodate?
Yes. KinderHaus offers spots to families on a first come basis. Students who cannot be offered a spot will be placed on a waitlist and KinderHaus will contact families on the waitlist based on spaces that become available, also on a first come, first serve basis.
Does my child need to be potty trained to attend KinderHaus?
No. Children who attend KinderHaus do not need to be potty trained before the start of school.
What is Kinderhaus’ potty training policy?
Potty training is an individual family matter and we work closely with parents based on professional knowledge and experience.
If my child is admitted, does that mean they are automatically offered a spot for future years?
Yes. Re-enrollment for current students takes place in October of the year prior. Kindly let the staff know if you are interested by October 31st (for example by October 2025) for guaranteed enrollment in the subsequent school year (for example 2026/2027 school year). Following the October 31st deadline all students are welcomed on a first come basis.
Does my child need to speak or be exposed to German prior to applying to KinderHaus German Immersion Program? And how often should my child attend KinderHaus?
No, your child does not need to speak or be exposed to German beforehand. KinderHaus admits children with all levels of German to its program. However, the child’s prior exposure to the language can be considered when parents decide on a schedule. If your child does not have an existing level of fluency and you are are applying for PreSchool, then it would be beneficial to attend four or five days a week to increase the exposure and strengthen the immersion process. Research overwhelmingly indicates that competence in a new language is best achieved through maximum exposure at the outset of the language learning process. Therefore, we believe that it is important that children who are being consistently exposed to the German language for the first time attend KinderHaus for five days a week. KinderHaus expects that in a full immersion program, along with family commitment and support, children in the younger years will acquire the language through their school experience. For children applying to the Pre-K program, KinderHaus does require that children will have acquired a certain level of comprehension in German and this can be considered on a one on one basis.
Why should German-speaking families continue German through Pre-K and afterschool, even after children begin English elementary school?
The hardest part of raising bilingual children is not introducing a second language—it’s maintaining it once they enter an English-dominant environment. Even in families where both parents speak German, children often begin to favor English, especially when literacy skills—reading, writing, and critical thinking—are reinforced only at school. Without continued immersion, German can quickly shift from an active, confident language to a passive one. That’s why maintaining a German immersion environment is essential. Immersion ensures that German is not just spoken at home but lived as a language of play, learning, and intellectual growth. Research supports this: Thomas & Collier (1997) found that students who continue formal instruction in their first language consistently outperform peers who transition exclusively into English, both in their home language and in English. Jim Cummins (2000) further shows that literacy skills transfer across languages, meaning strong German reading and writing directly strengthen English literacy. Continuing in a German immersion program beyond Pre-K isn’t only about keeping German alive—it’s about nurturing the full cognitive, cultural, and academic advantages of true bilingualism.
Since the majority of children know the language, how does KinderHaus handle children who enter KinderHaus with no prior language exposure?
While students with no prior language exposure will speak to their peers and teachers in English, their teachers make a concerted effort to repeat back to them their question or response in the target language and then proceed to pose or answer their question in the target language. Our experience has shown us that after a few months, most children will begin to address their teachers in the target language.
How will my child learn to read and write in English if my child attends KinderHaus?
To gain phonological and phonemic awareness, KinderHaus teachers teach a synthetic and analytic reading and writing approach (synthetischer & analytischer Schriftspracherwerb) to ensure children understand how to decode words. This approach to literacy skills gives children the tools becoming a successful reader and writer, no matter the language. They will have the underlying understanding that letters represent sounds and that you synthesize them to words.
Contact us to schedule a tour or ask questions about how the KinderHaus curriculum can support your child’s development. We’re always happy to share more about our approach and philosophy. Chat online with us at 917 406 8869.
Do I need to speak the target language at home?
No. Many KinderHaus families are not speakers of the target language. Our full immersion model allows children to acquire the language naturally through consistent exposure.
How does immersion work for children new to the target language?
Teachers use modeling, repetition, songs, and play-based routines. New learners hear the language throughout the day and quickly begin to respond and participate.
Will my child learn to read and write in English?
Yes. Our literacy curriculum builds phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and comprehension in ways that transfer across languages. Children gain foundational literacy in both English and the target language.
What if my child has a food allergy?
KinderHaus has had experience with all types of food allergies. We ask that parents make the teachers aware of the allergy at the beginning of the school year and discuss necessary precautions. Every child with a food allergy has an additional required form as party of the Family Documents.
Do the children nap?
Most children do nap and we are required by the Department of Health to provide a period (approximately an hour) during which the lights are lowered, quiet music is played, and the children rest on cots (and may sleep).
How long do the tours last and what takes place during them?
Tours last approximately 60 minutes. Parents will receive a detailed overview of the school, information on KinderHaus’ curriculum, enrollment, and the admissions process. Parents will also be invited to the classrooms and to speak with the teachers. Questions are welcome throughout.
What can I expect on the tour?
Each tour will meet alternating at 466 6th Avenue and 312 7th Street. Please plan to arrive promptly at 10:30 am. Tours will last approximately an hour and we will visit our 7th Street and 6th Avenue classrooms.