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' and 'die Kita' both refer to facilities where small children are cared for. 'Kindergarten' is especially used for children of preschool age, often roughly from three to six years old. 'Kita' is the short form of 'Kindertagesstätte' and can be broader: it can also include a nursery for very young children. In everyday language, many people say 'Kita' even when they actually mean kindergarten. That is why the words can easily be confused. If you are specifically talking about the group of three- to six-year-olds, 'Kindergarten' is more precise. If you are talking generally about daytime childcare, 'Kita' sounds very natural.
Im Kindergarten malt Paul heute ein Bild für seine Eltern.
In kindergarten today, Paul is painting a picture for his parents.
Nach der Arbeit hat Lena ihr Kind aus der Kita abgeholt.
After work, Lena picked up her child from daycare.