I never thought I would fill out kindergarden applications for Bubsi before she turned 3. Yes, I did e-mail a forest day care in London when she was just shy of twelve months, but waiting lists for that one were over two years long so there was that. While getting kindergarden places in Bremen is much easier, I am rather skeptical about most daycare arrangements. Not to mention leaving Bubsi alone for several hours a day to be practically raised by other people… I did not have kids to give them away. If our financial situation allows, that is.
Applying for kindergarden
Yet here I was, applying for a kindergarden spot from August. How did that happen? Well. There are two kindergarden concepts that appeal to me – Montessori and forest kindergardens. Sadly, not many of these are out there, compared to state organized alternatives. So I thought it might be a good idea to contact them early if we wanted a four or five hours a day place from fall 2018. (Bubsi turns three this December). Get on the waiting lists. Learn about how the available institutions work.
It turned out that the time I chose to contact potential day care providers was two days before the application deadline for fall 2017. One of the Montessori kindergardens offered that Bubsi and I could come by and check them out the same day. Why not, I thought, as we had time in the afternoon. And well, Bubsi loved it. She liked the rooms, the toys, the garden and even the idea of playing in a house just for kids. More importantly though, she liked the teacher who waa showing us around. Right away. Even shook his hand. My Bubsi, who usually needs at least 20 minutes to warm up to strangers.
Apply and we will take you
The teacher liked Bubsi, too. He asked why we don’t apply for this year- if there was still a free spot he would definitely offer it to us. Only that the deadline would be the next day. In the evening at home Papa and I discussed. In the end, even though I am skeptical of daycare for under three year-olds, he won me over. The deal is we will try it. If she hates it, we take her back out. So we applied last minute and what can I say- we were offered a spot. Six hours- less was not possible- from August. Wow. Trouble is, it starts at 8 am. And Bubsi sleeps until 10. Not much longer I gather….
The confirmation letter just arrived