In 2009 KinderHaus began with one mother’s search for a German language preschool in NYC, discovering that it didn’t exist. Joined by a passionate teacher, together, they brought their vision to life.
What followed was a remarkable coming together of the soon-to-be KinderHaus community. At the first tour, families gathered in a living room—not a polished classroom—to imagine what KinderHaus could be. A shared vision took root: a child-centered, nature-rich space led by passionate, German-speaking educators. Parents pitched in—some offering expertise in education or city regulations, others helping transform residential buildings into inspiring learning environments with backyard gardens.
As KinderHaus grew, so did the team’s hands-on dedication. Teachers built garden planters, and our backyard spaces quickly became a treasured haven. So, when the Department of Health recommended artificial turf, our teachers pushed back. Children should dig in real dirt, climb wooden stumps, and be in the natural world. That insistence on authenticity became a guiding principle. Even the Department of Health came to support this mission, collaborating to uphold a model of early multilingual education rooted in nature, community, and child development.
Over the past 17 years, KinderHaus, New York City’s first German immersion school, has welcomed more than 800 families. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a full-day, year-round early education hub that is multilingual, globally connected, and grounded in research, play, and a deep respect for each child.
Now welcoming children from 6 months through Kindergarten, our core values remain unchanged:
Childhood is sacred.
Language is a bridge.
Nature is a teacher.
Community is everything.
KinderHaus is 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.
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