Choosing the right kindergarten is a big decision for any family. At LIS Kindergarten, we take pride in providing a nurturing, bilingual environment where children can grow, learn and thrive. But don’t just take our word for it – hear from the parents themselves!
In this article, families share their experiences and insights, highlighting what makes our Kindergarten such a special place for their children:
Building Roots in Leipzig
My name is Shir, and I’m married to Neri. We’re the parents of Ella (3) and Mica (1). Just six months ago, we moved from Israel to Leipzig when I began my postdoctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Institute. Amid the excitement and challenges of relocating to a new country, one of my biggest concerns was finding the right place for our daughters – a space where they would feel safe, happy, and supported.
During a short visit to Leipzig before our move, I had very little time to explore the city, but one thing I made sure to do was visit potential kindergartens. The moment I stepped into LIS Kindergarten, I could already picture our daughters playing in the yard, reading books, and dancing in music class. There was something about the atmosphere – the warmth of the caregivers, the joy in the children’s faces – that made me feel at ease. Knowing that Ella and Mica would spend their days in such a nurturing environment made our big transition so much easier.
Of course, we had our worries, especially about how Ella would adjust to an environment where both the language and culture were completely new to her. But we were lucky to have Kadek and Sarah as her caregivers. Their patience, sensitivity, and kindness helped Ella settle in much faster than we ever imagined. Within days, she was staying for whole days – and before long, she started telling us we were coming to pick her up too early! “I need more time to play!” she’d say. That, to us, was the best sign that she felt happy and at home.
One moment that truly touched us was when Kadek and Sarah pointed out how much Ella enjoys art. Before, we hadn’t given it much thought, but once they shared this with us, we began noticing it more and more – both at kindergarten and at home. The fact that they saw her, recognized her passion, and nurtured it made us feel that she wasn’t just another child in the group; she was truly known and cared for.
For us, integrating into the LIS community has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of our move to Leipzig. It’s not just a kindergarten – it’s a place where our daughters are loved, supported, and seen for who they are.
Four months ago, Mica joined the kindergarten as well. From the very first day, she formed an instant bond with her incredible caregivers, Anna and Anthea. She is always excited to go to them in the morning, and in the most special moment of all – she even took some of her very first steps walking between them at kindergarten. That moment spoke volumes about how safe and confident she feels there. And when Mica celebrated her first birthday, the caregivers made an extra effort to invite Ella to join the celebration. Seeing our two daughters together, sharing such a joyful moment, was incredibly heartwarming and showed us once again just how much thought and care go into making every child feel special.
Beyond the warmth and love they receive, we are amazed by how much our daughters are growing and learning every day at LIS. Mica comes home recognizing new objects, eagerly participating in songs and music, and expressing herself in new ways. Ella surprises us with her independence – counting, dressing herself, naming body parts and colours, and even tidying up after playtime, something we never imagined she’d take so much pride in! Seeing them gain these skills, not just academically but in confidence and self-sufficiency, reassures us that they are in the right place.
For us, integrating into the LIS community has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of our move to Leipzig. It’s not just a kindergarten – it’s a place where our daughters are loved, supported, and seen for who they are. We feel truly grateful to be part of it.
Shir
Finding Stability, Community and Joy in Our New Home
Moving to Germany three years ago with an infant was full of many exciting changes and challenges for our family. As a Canadian-German family, we made the choice to move here to be close to my spouse’s family and needed a place to start our lives here in Leipzig. Not having come from an International School background, we weren’t sure what advantages that LIS Kindergarten would have for our child apart from the bilingual education to further develop the English and German that is spoken in our home. Over the last three years at LIS Kindergarten, we as a family have had many opportunities to see that we’ve made the right decision for us.
Finding the right day care isn’t always easy. With a shortage of educators in many other day care centres and kindergartens, friends of ours in Leipzig and other cities have had to manage spontaneous closures or restricted opening hours on short notice, which causes stress at home and in the parents’ workplaces. We’ve been very grateful that the LIS Kindergarten offers such consistent hours so that we can both work outside of the home with minimal disruptions.
As a new parent, I’ve also realized how important it is for me to feel like the educators and staff really know my child and are able to appreciate each young person for who they are, not only for who they might someday become. On many occasions I’ve been stopped by LIS Kindergarten staff who share a sweet anecdote of the day or a little moment that they shared with my kid, and I can tell that they delight in building relationships with the children in their care.
The diverse backgrounds of the staff and educators at LIS Kindergarten are also something that we appreciate. Having educators and staff with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds and accents truly fits the mission of students learning to be global citizens and developing a greater awareness of the benefits of multiculturalism. As a rainbow family ourselves, we also do not take it for granted that diverse family structures are not simply accepted, but are welcomed, taught, and modeled in the community of the school.
We’ve been very grateful that the LIS Kindergarten offers such consistent hours so that we can both work outside of the home with minimal disruptions.
Another aspect of LIS Kindergarten that continues to impress me is the intentional practice of putting the children first and focusing on educating them about their perceptions and feelings of the world around them. Parents are also invited to attend informal “coffee morning” conversations to meet and connect with other parents and staff to discuss important topics about children’s rights and education. Socio-emotional growth and self-regulation are topics that are often discussed and are at the core of many practices and teachings at the daycare. The four coloured “Mood Meter” is a tool introduced at the daycare that we use at home to label our feelings and have conversations that deepen our understanding of how to express ourselves as adults and children. I believe that an education that helps children understand their emotions and their bodies’ reactions to different feelings is one way to help equip them to be balanced and fulfilled in the years to come.
As our third year as a Kindergarten family is winding down, we would like to say thank you for the positive relationships and gentle care that our child and our family benefit from every day.
Lauren
A Nurturing Beginning for a Lifelong Love of Learning
Parents deeply value the learning philosophy at LIS, which goes beyond a traditional, rigid curriculum. Instead of rote memorization, the kindergarten embraces an inquiry-based approach, encouraging children to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
At LIS Kindergarten, children take their first steps in an educational journey that continues seamlessly into Primary School. This continuity provides a familiar and supportive environment where young learners can flourish, surrounded by friends and educators who understand and nurture their individual potential.
For parents seeking a kindergarten that inspires curiosity, celebrates diversity, and provides a warm, engaging space for children to grow, LIS Kindergarten offers the ideal foundation.