In Germany, a child's first day at school is a family celebration. Grandparents travel in, the child carries a cone almost as tall as they are, and the photos end up on every relative's fridge. The Einschulung is part ceremony, part party, and the start of a new routine for the whole family.
If your child is starting school in Germany, here are the words you'll need: for the paperwork in the year before, for the school bag, and for the big day itself.
The Year Before School
compulsory schooling
die Schulpflicht
school registration
die Schulanmeldung
school entry health check
die Schuleingangsuntersuchung
cut-off date
der Stichtag
child in the last year before school
das Vorschulkind
deferral of school entry
die Zurückstellung
the local catchment school
die Sprengelschule
school readiness
die Schulreife
Practice these words
die Schulpflicht
When does school start? Children who turn six by the cut-off date in their state start school that summer. The date differs by state, somewhere between June and September. A child born just after it can sometimes start early, as a Kann-Kind, a "may child".
Schuleingangsuntersuchung: before school starts, the local health office checks every child's eyesight, hearing, motor skills and language. It's free and required. If there are questions about German skills, the school may suggest extra support or a language course before class 1.
Which school? Primary schools usually have catchment areas, so your address decides the school. In Bavaria it's called the Sprengel. The town or the school will tell you when and where to register, often a year before.
The Big Day
school enrolment, first day
die Einschulung
first day of school
der erste Schultag
school cone
die Schultüte / die Zuckertüte
first-year pupil
der Erstklässler / die Erstklässlerin
beginner at school, informal
der Abc-Schütze
enrolment ceremony
die Einschulungsfeier
church service for new pupils
der Einschulungsgottesdienst
class photo
das Klassenfoto
starting school, start of the school year
der Schulanfang
Practice these words
die Einschulung
Schultüte: a large cardboard cone filled with sweets, small toys and school things, given to the child on the first day. In Saxony and Thuringia it's the Zuckertüte, the "sugar bag". Many Kitas make cones with the children in their last months, and shops sell ready-made ones.
How the day goes: usually a short ceremony in the school hall, often with a song or a play by the older pupils, then the first lesson with the teacher while parents wait outside. Many families start with a church service and end with lunch or cake at home. In some states, Saxony among them, the Einschulung is on a Saturday.
i-Dötzchen is what first-years are called in the Rhineland. In other regions you'll hear Schulanfänger or Erstklässler.
What Goes in the School Bag
school bag
der Schulranzen
pencil case
das Federmäppchen
pencil
der Bleistift
coloured pencils
die Buntstifte
rubber, eraser
der Radiergummi
pencil sharpener
der Spitzer
ruler
das Lineal
scissors
die Schere
glue stick
der Klebestift
exercise book
das Heft
homework diary
das Hausaufgabenheft
PE bag
der Turnbeutel
lunchbox
die Brotdose
water bottle
die Trinkflasche
indoor shoes
die Hausschuhe
Practice these words
der Schulranzen
Wait for the list. Before the first day, the school sends a Materialliste: exactly which exercise books, how many pencils, which colour of folder. Teachers are specific, so buy after the list arrives, not before.
Ranzen, not rucksack: first-years carry a stiff, upright Schulranzen with reflective strips. It's chosen in spring, often at a Ranzenparty in a shop, and it's one of the bigger costs of the year.
Hausschuhe: many primary schools ask children to change into slippers in the classroom. Label everything with your child's name, the slippers too.
Phrases for the Day
When is the enrolment ceremony?
Wann ist die Einschulungsfeier?
Can parents come into the classroom too?
Dürfen die Eltern mit ins Klassenzimmer?
What did you get in your Schultüte?
Was war in deiner Schultüte?
Have fun at school!
Viel Spaß in der Schule!
All the best for starting school!
Alles Gute zum Schulanfang!
Now you're a schoolchild!
Jetzt bist du ein Schulkind!
How was your first day?
Wie war dein erster Schultag?
Practice these words
Wann ist die Einschulungsfeier?
A card or a small present from relatives and neighbours is common: Alles Gute zur Einschulung! Money in the card is fine too. More wishes in birthday wishes and congratulations.
Practical Things for Parents
- Practise the way to school. German children often walk to school alone or with friends from class 1 or 2. Walk the Schulweg together a few times before term starts.
- Help with the cost: families who receive Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly Bürgergeld, housing benefit or the Kinderzuschlag can get a yearly allowance for school supplies through the Bildung und Teilhabe programme, the Schulbedarfspaket. Ask at your Jobcenter or town hall.
- After lessons: the first school days often end early. Arrange the Hort or the all-day programme, the Ganztag, in good time. More words for this in Kita and school phrases for parents.