Organising places does not automatically mean deciding for every family.
The state and the federal states set conditions for childcare and education. A nursery offers places, educational work and a daily routine. A separate question is whether the family uses such provision for its child.
The Family Portal treats nursery registration as a matter of considerable importance. With joint parental responsibility, such decisions are generally taken jointly. Sole responsibility or a court decision can allocate decision-making differently in an individual case.
The other three answers
The incorrect answers confuse public responsibilities with the decision of those responsible for the child.
the state
The state protects children and sets conditions. It does not generally decide in place of parents whether each individual child attends kindergarten.
the federal states
The federal states have important responsibilities for education and childcare. That does not make them the general decision-maker for each child’s kindergarten attendance.
the schools
Schools and kindergartens are different institutions. A school does not generally decide whether a child previously attends kindergarten.
Do not equate kindergarten, compulsory schooling and special support.
The answer does not mean parents may reject every education or support requirement. Schooling and particular preschool support have their own rules. Hamburg, for example, points to special arrangements where a need for language support has been identified.
The child’s welfare guides parental responsibility. “Parents decide” does not mean unlimited control over the child, nor does it mean every adult relative automatically has parental responsibility.
Decisions for the child · Federal Family Portal ↗Kindergarten attendance: generally parents or legal guardians.
Distinguish organising a childcare service from deciding to use it for one’s child.
Three words for this question
- erziehungsberechtigtlegally responsible for upbringing
- Entitled and responsible to carry out upbringing responsibilities for a child.
- die Betreuungcare
- Looking after, supporting and meeting a child’s everyday needs.
- das Kindeswohlthe child’s welfare
- The child’s needs, safety and healthy development as a guide to decisions.