Question 1

1. How bilingual are you really?

Accepted Answer

At Sparkling Diamonds, bilingualism is an integral part of everyday life. As a bilingual kindergarten in Munich, we follow the One Person, One Language (OPOL) approach. Our team includes native English-speaking and German-speaking educators, with each teacher consistently communicating in their designated language.

This allows children to naturally associate a specific language with a specific person, supporting the development of both English and German language skills. Through daily routines, free play, songs, stories, creative activities, and group time, children are regularly exposed to both languages in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.
 
Unlike language lessons that take place only at specific times of the day, our bilingual approach is woven into the children's everyday experiences. This creates a natural environment for language acquisition and helps children build confidence communicating in both languages.
 
Our goal is to provide high-quality bilingual childcare in Munich, where children can develop strong foundations in both English and German while learning, playing, and growing in a warm and supportive community.

Question 2

2. How does the EKI (Eltern-Kind-Initiative) model work?

Accepted Answer

Sparkling Diamonds is a parent initiative kindergarten (Eltern-Kind-Initiative, EKI) in Munich, where families and educators work together to create a supportive and engaging environment for children. The EKI model combines professional childcare with active parent participation, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.
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Parents contribute through a variety of organisational and community tasks, such as supporting events, assisting with administrative activities, or sharing professional expertise. Responsibilities are distributed across all families, ensuring that contributions remain manageable and fair.
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One of the key benefits of an EKI in Munich is the close partnership between parents and educators. Families have the opportunity to actively shape the kindergarten community, while children benefit from a familiar, family-oriented atmosphere and strong social connections.
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The educational care, learning activities, and day-to-day support of the children are provided by our qualified educators, ensuring a high-quality early childhood education experience.

Question 3

3. What parent duties exist?

Accepted Answer

As a parent initiative kindergarten (EKI), Sparkling Diamonds thrives on the active involvement of its families. Each family contributes to the community by taking on a small area of responsibility that helps support the day-to-day operation and development of the kindergarten.
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Tasks vary depending on a family's interests, skills, and availability and may include organisational, administrative, communication, event-related, or practical responsibilities. In addition, parents participate in occasional community activities such as meetings, celebrations, and collaborative projects throughout the year.
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Responsibilities are shared across all families to ensure that the workload remains manageable and fair. Many parents appreciate the opportunity to contribute their strengths, connect with other families, and play an active role in shaping the kindergarten community. The average time-commitment is 2-5h per month.
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While parent involvement is an important part of the EKI concept, the educational care and daily work with the children are provided by our qualified educators.

Question 4

4. What are your opening hours and drop-off times?

Accepted Answer

Our kindergarten is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To help children settle into their day and maintain a consistent routine, we offer two drop-off windows:
 
Before the morning circle: by 8:45 AM

After the morning circle:between 9:40 AM and 10:00 AM

Families are free to choose the drop-off window that best fits their schedule and may adjust it as their needs change. The designated drop-off times help minimise interruptions to group activities and support a calm, predictable environment for all children.

Thelatest pick-up time is 4:45 PM, allowing our educators sufficient time to complete end-of-day activities and preparations.

If you require occasional flexibility due to exceptional circumstances, please speak with our team—we are always happy to work together to find a solution.

Question 5

5. How many children are in the group?

Accepted Answer

At Sparkling Diamonds, we intentionally maintain a small group size of 20 children. Our mixed-age group welcomes children between 2 and 6 years of age, creating a family-like environment where children can learn and grow together.
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To ensure that our youngest children receive the support and attention they need, we limit the number of nursery-aged children (Krippe) to a maximum of four children at any given time.
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A mixed-age group offers many benefits. Younger children naturally learn by observing and interacting with older peers, while older children develop confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills by helping and guiding younger members of the group. This creates a supportive community where children learn from one another every day.
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At the same time, we recognise that children of different ages have different developmental needs. For selected activities, such as the morning circle, children are divided into smaller age-appropriate groups, typically ages 2–4 and 4–6. This allows our educators to tailor activities, discussions, and learning experiences to each age group's interests and developmental stage.
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Our small group setting also allows our educators to build strong relationships with each child and provide individualised support for their development and well-being.

Question 6

6. How do you prepare children for school?

Accepted Answer

Preparing children for a successful transition to school is an important part of our kindergarten program. In the year before starting school, our children participate in Vorschule activities at a local elementary school, giving them the opportunity to become familiar with the school environment and build confidence for this exciting next step.
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Within the kindergarten, our educators provide age-appropriate learning experiences designed to support school readiness. Through dedicated English and German activities, children are introduced to letters, numbers, early literacy, and pre-mathematical concepts in a playful and engaging way.
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School preparation at Sparkling Diamonds goes beyond academic skills. We also focus on developing independence, concentration, problem-solving abilities, social skills, and self-confidence—important foundations for a positive start to school life.
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Our goal is for every child to enter school feeling curious, capable, and well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Question 7

7. How does the settling-in period (Eingewöhnung) work?

Accepted Answer

Once your child has been offered a place and a start date has been agreed upon, the settling-in period (Eingewöhnung) begins. During this time, your child is supported by a designated educator who focuses on building a trusting relationship and helping them feel safe and comfortable in their new environment.
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Whenever possible, we match children with a teacher who speaks their primary language. For example, children from primarily German-speaking families are usually accompanied by a German-speaking educator, while children from primarily English-speaking families are supported by an English-speaking educator.
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The goal of the settling-in period is to create a positive and secure transition into kindergarten life. We follow the individual needs of each child, allowing them to build confidence at their own pace.
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The length of the Eingewöhnung varies from child to child. Some children settle in within a week, while others may need several weeks to feel fully comfortable. Throughout the process, our educators maintain close communication with parents, and all next steps are decided together to ensure the best possible experience for your child.
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We believe that a successful settling-in period lays the foundation for a happy and confident kindergarten experience.

Question 8

8. What does a typical day look like?

Accepted Answer

While every day brings new discoveries and experiences, our daily routine provides children with the structure, security, and predictability they need to thrive.
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8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Arrival and Free Play

Children arrive, settle into their day, and enjoy free play with their friends. Before the morning circle, everyone helps tidy up the play areas, encouraging responsibility and teamwork.
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9:00 AM: Morning Circle

Our morning circle usually takes place in two age-appropriate groups (ages 2–4 and 4–6), allowing discussions, activities, and learning experiences to be tailored to each developmental stage.
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Breakfast Time

Following the morning circle, children gather for a healthy breakfast and enjoy sharing a meal together.
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Outdoor Play

Spending time outdoors is an important part of our educational approach. We go outside every day, regardless of the season. Depending on the weather, children enjoy active play, exploration, and opportunities to develop their physical, social, and emotional skills.
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Lunch and Rest Time

After outdoor play, children enjoy a healthy organic lunch provided by our catering partner. Lunch is followed by quiet time. Younger children who still nap can rest, while older children relax with books, music, or other calm activities.
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Afternoon Activities

After a snack brought from home, children participate in creative projects, group activities, and free play. Activities may include arts and crafts, painting, cutting, playdough, storytelling, music, and other hands-on experiences. Our preschool children also take part in dedicated school-readiness activities twice per week.
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Excursions, Celebrations, and Special Events
In addition to our daily routine, children enjoy a wide variety of special activities throughout the year. These include excursions, outdoor days, seasonal celebrations, and community events, some of which involve parent participation.
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From Easter workshops and summer celebrations to visits to local parks, festivals, and community institutions, there is always something exciting to look forward to. Thanks to our international community, children are also introduced to traditions, holidays, and cultural celebrations from around the world.
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We believe that a balance of routine, exploration, creativity, and outdoor experiences helps children develop confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Question 9

9. Do children need to speak English before joining?

Accepted Answer

Children do not need to be fluent in English before joining Sparkling Diamonds. However, because we are a bilingual English-German kindergarten, we do expect children to have regular exposure to English outside of kindergarten.
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Ideally, at least one parent is a native English speaker and uses English consistently with the child. We also welcome families where English is not the parents' native language, provided that the child is exposed to English regularly at home through everyday communication and activities.
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Our bilingual program is designed to strengthen and develop both English and German language skills. Regular exposure to English at home helps children fully benefit from our One Person, One Language approach and participate comfortably in our bilingual environment.
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If you are unsure whether your family's language situation is a good fit, we would be happy to discuss it with you during the admissions process.

Question 10

10. How do I apply for a kindergarten place?

Accepted Answer

We're delighted that you're considering Sparkling Diamonds e.V. for your child's early education journey.
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To begin the application process, simply complete our admission form. Once we receive your application, we will review it and contact you regarding current availability.
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If a place is available, we will invite your family to continue the admissions process. If no places are currently available, your child will be added to our waiting list and we will contact you should a suitable place become available.
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As a small kindergarten with limited places, availability depends on the current composition and capacity of our group. Admissions are possible throughout the year, not only at the start of the kindergarten year.
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We encourage families to apply several months in advance whenever possible, as demand for places can be high. We are always happy to answer any questions and help you determine whether Sparkling Diamonds is the right fit for your family.