nursery / manger
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nursery
A facility for caring for small children under the age of three during the day, often as part of a daycare center (Kita).
Unser Sohn geht seit letztem Monat in die Krippe.
Our son has been going to the nursery since last month.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Krippe' (nursery/manger) from context. If it is about children and care, it means a daycare facility. If it is about animals and feed, it means the feeding trough. In the context of Christmas, it means the nativity scene of Jesus.
Viele Eltern suchen lange nach einem Platz in einer guten Krippe.
Many parents spend a long time looking for a place in a good nursery.
When talking about childcare, you use 'in die Krippe' (to the nursery, accusative) for movement there and 'in der Krippe' (at/in the nursery, dative) for being there.
Morgens bringt er seinen Sohn in die Krippe.
In the morning, he takes his son to the nursery.
The Christmas nativity scene is a central part of Christmas decoration in many homes and churches in German-speaking countries. It depicts the birth of Jesus in the stable.
Jedes Jahr kaufen wir eine neue Figur für unsere Krippe.
Every year we buy a new figure for our nativity scene.
In the meaning of 'Futtertrog' (feeding trough), 'Krippe' (manger) is often combined with the verb 'füllen' (to fill) and the noun 'Heu' (hay) or 'Futter' (feed).
Der Pferdewirt füllt die Krippen jeden Morgen mit frischem Heu.
The horse keeper fills the mangers with fresh hay every morning.
kindergarten
'Kindergarten' and 'Krippe' both refer to facilities where children are cared for during the day. The most important difference is the age of the children. Very small children under three usually go to a 'Krippe'. Children of preschool age, usually around three to six years old, go to 'Kindergarten'. The words can be confused because both are often part of a Kita and parents talk about childcare in everyday life. As a guide: for a baby or toddler under three years old, use 'Krippe'; for an older preschool child, use 'Kindergarten'.
Für ihren einjährigen Sohn suchen die Eltern einen Platz in der Krippe.
The parents are looking for a place in the nursery for their one-year-old son.
Unsere Tochter geht seit September in den Kindergarten und findet dort schnell Freunde.
Our daughter has been going to kindergarten since September and quickly makes friends there.