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Kids, Kita and school

The Kita place, the parents’ evening, and the note you send when your kid is ill.

34 words · Level B1

GermanTranslationListen
die KitaKitasdaycare centre
der KindergartenKindergärtenkindergarten
die KrippeKrippencrèche; nativity scene
der BetreuungsplatzBetreuungsplätzechildcare place
der ErzieherErzieherkindergarten teacher
die EingewöhnungEingewöhnungensettling-in period
die GanztagsschuleGanztagsschulenall-day school
die SchuleSchulenschool
die GrundschuleGrundschulenprimary school
das GymnasiumGymnasienhigh school
die RealschuleRealschulensecondary school
der LehrerLehrerteacher
das ZeugnisZeugnissetestimony, evidence
die KlasseKlassenclass; social class
der UnterrichtUnterrichtelesson / instruction
das FachFächersubject; compartment
die NoteNotengrade; note
die HausaufgabeHausaufgabenhomework
der ElternabendElternabendeparents' evening
der ElternsprechtagElternsprechtageparent-teacher conference day
die EinschulungEinschulungenfirst day of school
die SchultüteSchultütenschool cone
die PausePausenbreak
der HortHorteafter-school care centre
die FerienFerienholidays
die KlassenfahrtKlassenfahrtenschool trip
der SportunterrichtSportunterrichtephysical education
das AttestAttestemedical certificate
krankmeldento call in sick
das KindergeldKindergelderchild benefit
das ElterngeldElterngelderparental allowance
die ElternzeitElternzeitenparental leave
die SchulpflichtSchulpflichtencompulsory schooling
der SchulranzenSchulranzenschoolbag

How these words get used

Kita is the umbrella word for daycare. Inside it, a Krippe takes children under three and a Kindergarten takes them from three until school. The Hort looks after primary school children in the afternoon. The first weeks are an Eingewöhnung: a parent stays nearby while the child settles in, so plan time off for it.

A Gymnasium is the academic secondary school, not a place to work out. A Note is a grade, and the scale runs from 1, the best, to 6, the worst. Details of the school system differ between federal states, so local advice beats general advice here.

Ferien are school holidays and the word is always plural. Adults take Urlaub. Schulpflicht means children have to attend a school, and home schooling is not allowed. On the day of the Einschulung every child carries a Schultüte, a big cone of sweets and small gifts. When your child is ill you call the school: Ich möchte mein Kind krankmelden.

Translations are written with AI and checked as I go. If one looks wrong, reply to any email and tell me.