Transition from kindergarten to school means a transition from one institution to another. Both institutions are important for the children’s basic education. They will guide them through decisive stages of their lives, during which the foundation for learning is laid.
We work at a continually increasing cooperation between the kindergarten, the primary school and the parents to ensure a successful transition of the kindergarten children to school. All are equally and jointly responsible. We have set ourselves the goal of a harmonious transition between kindergarten and primary school.

We want to guide the children during this transition period:

• Their curiosity is awakened
• They get to know new things
• Anxieties are diminished
• First contacts are established with the institution, the teacher and pupils
• First insights into the daily school life are gained
• Their feeling of self-esteem is increased (we belong to the “big ones”)
• They get used to the new surroundings

On some Tuesday afternoons, the preschool children visit the primary school accompanied by an educator. They spend the 7th and 8th hour in a primary school class in order to familiarise themselves with the rooms and rules. This exchange allows the preschool children to get accustomed to the structures within the school and within the class. They can establish first ties to other pupils and maintain these. We organise joint visits of readings, theatre plays and outings in order to deepen these contacts.

The primary school pupils arrange varied common activities (e.g. readings in the afternoon…) with the preschool children in the kindergarten.

In addition, shared French and gymnastic lessons are planned, in which preschool and primary school children are taught together.

To allow an even gentler transition into primary school, we use the teaching aid “Das kleine Zahlenbuch” in mathematics and “Der kleine Tinto” in language lessons in the kindergarten. This support programme is suitable for children and is geared to the needs and capabilities of the children. In the first grade at school, further editions of these teaching aids are employed.

Regarding further cooperation, a yearly plan is established according to requirements and in agreement with the appropiate primary teacher. An important contribution of the cooperation is a consultation as to whether an early school enrolment lies in the best interest of the child or whether, on the contrary, a postponement is advisable.

The cooperation between primary school and kindergarten relies on the initiative, team work, acceptance and commitment of all the people involved.