kindergarten
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kindergarten
An institution for the care, upbringing, and education of preschool-age children, usually between three and six years old.
Mein Sohn kommt nächstes Jahr in den Kindergarten.
My son is starting kindergarten next year.
The word 'Kindergarten' is made up of 'Kinder' (children) and 'Garten' (garden). The idea behind it is that children should be cared for and supported like plants in a garden so that they can grow and develop.
Der neue Kindergarten hat einen großen Garten zum Spielen.
The new kindergarten has a large garden for playing.
Pay attention to the preposition and case: movement to this place is expressed with 'in den Kindergarten' (accusative), while being there is described with 'im Kindergarten' (dative).
Morgens geht unser Sohn gern in den Kindergarten.
In the morning, our son likes going to kindergarten.
Common verbs in connection with kindergarten are 'ein Kind in den Kindergarten bringen' (to take a child to kindergarten), 'ein Kind vom Kindergarten abholen' (to pick a child up from kindergarten), and 'in den Kindergarten gehen' (to go to kindergarten).
Ich muss meine Tochter heute früher vom Kindergarten abholen.
I have to pick my daughter up from kindergarten earlier today.
daycare center
Der Kindergarten usually cares for children between the age of three and starting school. Die Kita is a broader term and can include not only a kindergarten but also a nursery for younger children. For a three-year-old, both words can therefore refer to the same facility.
Unsere vierjährige Tochter besucht seit August den Kindergarten.
Our four-year-old daughter has been attending kindergarten since August.
Unsere einjährige Tochter besucht seit August die Kita.
Our one-year-old daughter has been attending daycare since August.
