Our Educational Approach

Building Trust and Feeling at Home

At the German School Shanghai Kindergarten, we follow the Berlin settling-in model to help every new child feel safe and secure in their new environment. Close cooperation between our educators and parents or other primary caregivers is essential, as it allows children to build trusting relationships with the educators in their new group.

The settling-in process consists of four phases, during which children are gradually introduced to their new surroundings and the daily routines of our Kindergarten. Before the process begins, we hold an admission meeting with the parents to discuss the child’s individual needs, preferences, dislikes and habits. This enables our team to provide personalised support and help each child settle into Kindergarten life. Initially, parents or another primary caregiver accompany the child in the group. They then gradually withdraw as the child becomes more comfortable. The time spent in the group without their caregiver is extended step by step, allowing children to build a secure relationship with their educators. The settling-in process is considered complete when the child has established a stable relationship with the group’s educators and feels comfortable in the absence of their parents or caregiver. They are relaxed, play, explore their surroundings with curiosity and actively participate in group activities. The process usually takes around four weeks but can be extended if needed.

Transitioning Between Groups

We also ensure that transitions between groups are gradual and supportive. We encourage regular interaction and opportunities for children and educators from different groups and age levels to get to know one another. For example, children can visit the preschool group before moving up and, if interested, take part in selected preschool activities.

We also prepare nursery children for their transition to the regular Kindergarten groups with care. First, their future educators visit them in the familiar nursery environment, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know one another and begin building relationships. The children then visit their new group at scheduled times, gradually gaining confidence and becoming familiar with their new surroundings.

Full-Day Care Options

Our Kindergarten offers a wide range of activities throughout the day for children aged 18 months until they enter preschool. Regular opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm. Children aged three and above can also take part in fee-based afternoon activities until 5:00 pm. These activities vary by theme, and attendance can be arranged flexibly, including on individual days. The Kindergarten is closed during school holidays.

A Weekly Schedule Tailored to Children’s Developmental Needs

Across all groups, our weekly schedules are designed around the children’s ages and developmental needs. They provide a balanced combination of familiar routines and varied activities, guided by the Berlin Education Programme. 

Each day begins with breakfast together and a morning circle in the children’s group. These familiar rituals provide security and orientation while creating opportunities to share ideas and experiences. The rest of the morning follows a thematic focus that recurs regularly and builds on previous learning experiences in a meaningful way. Activities include sports days, library days and the much-loved backpack or excursion day. Each group plans its excursions individually, taking into account current projects, the children’s interests and seasonal topics. Popular destinations include picnics in the park, museums, the zoo, fire stations, dental practices and strawberry-picking trips to farms around Shanghai.

The preschool weekly schedule also includes targeted learning and support activities to prepare children for primary school. In addition, preschool children regularly attend swimming lessons to develop their motor skills, build confidence and become more comfortable and safe in the water.

Our weekly structure provides a well-planned educational framework that offers both orientation and a wide range of learning experiences. Visit "A Day at Our Kindergarten" for a detailed insight into daily life at our Kindergarten.

Building a trusting partnership with parents is very important to us. We provide regular opportunities for open dialogue and invite parents to an individual group meeting each year, as well as to an information evening when their child is preparing to transition to preschool. We also keep parents informed about our work with the children every week, sharing detailed insights through our communication channels. For every child, we maintain developmental records in which we document and evaluate our observations, identifying individual strengths and areas where further support may be beneficial. These records form the basis of the two developmental meetings held each year and help us assess each child’s development and individual support needs. We also see parents as important partners in their children’s language development. We share information about their progress and offer practical suggestions for supporting language learning at home. Our Parent Council (Elternbeirat, EBR) serves as an important voice for the parent community. It facilitates the exchange of information, represents parents’ interests, supports everyday life at the school and Kindergarten, and promotes structured dialogue between parents, school and Kindergarten leadership, and the administration.

A successful start to school begins with thoughtful preparation and support throughout a child’s final year at Kindergarten. Our “Ready for School” programme includes two structured learning sessions each week for preschool children, complementing their regular group activities. The aim is to strengthen independence and organisational skills while developing the abilities needed for primary school. These include the fine motor skills required for writing and cutting, as well as sorting, organising and structuring as foundations for mathematical learning. Children also practise skills essential for reading and writing, alongside attention and concentration. Each preschool group also partners with a Year 1 primary school class. Through shared activities and excursions, the children can exchange experiences and gain insights into school life. A treasure hunt across the entire campus is another part of the programme. It allows children to discover their future school environment before their first day and even take a peek inside the primary school staff room. Shortly before the summer holidays, the children celebrate their big farewell from Kindergarten. After looking back on their time with us through a lovingly prepared review, the moment arrives: their educators give them a playful, symbolic send-off into primary school – quite literally helping them make the leap, safely, into their next chapter. After the summer holidays, the children return for the exciting next step: starting primary school.