My child is starting kindergarten – what can I do to make sure this transition goes smoothly?

There is still some time left before kindergarten starts in August, so use this time to reorganise your work-life balance and prepare your child for this step. Perhaps this is the right time for you to return to work? Find out from your local authority how kindergarten hours and, if necessary, after-school care are organised. Then consider what additional care you and your family need and what this might look like.

Check options for childcare outside the family

• What options does your local authority offer? What options are available (after-school care, childminders, nurseries) and how much do they cost?
• Grandparents: perhaps they didn't want to take on fixed days of childcare before, but would now be willing to do so with an older child? It's worth asking.
• Neighbours: Perhaps you can come to a mutual agreement with your neighbours? At nurse-ry age, the childcare requirements are less demanding, and having lunch together or providing care from 3.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. is easier to manage than a whole day.
• A nanny or au pair might also be an option
• Rearrange your working hours. Perhaps you or your partner would like to spread your working hours over several days so that you can cover part of the childcare together? Per-haps you can save up holidays to cover the school holidays?

It is also worth checking what holiday childcare options are available in your area. Approximately 13 weeks of school holidays need to be covered, so why not clarify the options when you are reorganising childcare?
Most children look forward to starting kindergarten. Of course, there are also children who are a little more cautious about change. You can support your child until they start by specifically pro-moting their independence and strengthening their self-confidence, because after developing basic trust in the toddler phase, your child now needs self-confidence. They need to learn that they can make a difference themselves in order to slowly detach from you. In the first years of life, they developed roots, and now they are slowly growing wings.

Promoting your child's independence

• Give your child time and let them try things out for themselves: we often put our children's jackets and shoes on for them because it's quicker. Make sure you give your child the time and confidence to do things themselves and let them practice.
• Take your child's ideas and suggestions seriously: Sometimes we are quick to come up with reasons why this or that idea is not feasible. Instead of responding, you can ask your child how they envisage it working in practice.
• Let your child gain experience and make their own decisions: Yes, clothes are always a source of discussion. Surely there is a way to let children try things out? At least colour combinations could be freely chosen, but perhaps also shoes that are suitable for the weather? Close your eyes and go for it ;-)
• Trust your almost-kindergarten-aged child: Children of this age often like to help in the kitchen. Show your child how to use a knife and let them help out. Setting the table or running small errands, depending on where you live, are also good options at this age.
• Children are also good at resolving conflicts themselves: as long as it doesn't get too physical or emotional, you can let a child argue with others without intervening directly. It's better to talk to them afterwards about how they feel and what other behaviours might have been helpful.

Book tip

The books on our book list use playful language and beautiful illustrations to convey everything there is to know about the topic of "first day at kindergarten". Download the PDF in german for free.

Boosting self-confidence

• Talk to your child about your feelings and theirs: this will strengthen their (self-)awareness, which is the basis for healthy self-confidence.
• Allow them to experience defeat, frustration and failure: talk to them about it, name the feelings and show them ways to "put them aside". Encourage them to try again.
• Praise and criticise behaviour – never the child or their character! Behaviour is easy to change, but a person or their character is not. "You've painted that beautifully" instead of "you're a real artist" ...
• Encourage your child to try new things: daring to do something new every now and then strengthens courage and self-confidence. You are also welcome to offer your support if something does not work right away. Try not to help from the outset, but only when they really cannot succeed.

Children who can do a lot of things independently in everyday life and havealready developed some "frustration tolerance" find it a little easier when they start kindergarten. This is because a kindergarten teacher usually looks after between 20 and 25 children on their own. This requires a little patience or independence from the children. Find out what your child should be able to do when they start kindergarten in this article by Swissmom,

To avoid stress during the initial phase, it helps to allow plenty of timein the morning and to remember that your child may need to be accompanied to and from kindergarten during the first few weeks.

If you are unsure whether your child is ready for kindergarten or if you have any questions, contact the kindergarten and talk to your paediatrician. Many local authorities allow some leeway and are happy to help if you areunsure. You can also find tips and background information on the topic of "Is my child ready for kindergarten?" in this wireltern article.

We wish young and old alike much joy and pride as they reach this next major milestone!

And take note:

profawo is hosting an online session on 4 May 2026 at 12:45 p.m. on the topic of ‘Mein Kind kommt in den Kindergarten – Wie organisieren wir uns neu, dass dieser Schritt für alle gut gelingt?’! Register now

Book recommendation

The books on our book list use playful language and beautiful illustrations to convey everything there is to know about the topic of "first day at kindergarten". Download the PDF in german for free.