Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is known for its structured and high-quality approach to early childhood education. While daycare is not entirely free as in Berlin, significant subsidies are available through programs such as the “Münchner Förderformel,” which adjusts parental fees according to income levels ([Reference 1]).
Early childhood education here emphasizes readiness for school (“Schulfähigkeit”), but within a nurturing, child-centered framework. According to the Bavarian Educational and Upbringing Plan (“Bayerischer Bildungs- und Erziehungsplan,” [Reference 2]), focus areas include language development, social-emotional skills, and early introduction to music and arts.
Moreover, Bavaria’s “Familienpakt Bayern” initiative ([Reference 3]) actively supports family-friendly structures, encouraging flexible care models to accommodate working parents. Many kindergartens offer mixed-age groupings (“altersgemischte Gruppen”) to promote social learning.
Munich’s educational philosophy respects both tradition and innovation: valuing structured play, early responsibility, and fostering independence from a young age. As a kindergarten director, I am impressed by Munich’s careful balance between preparing children academically and cultivating their well-being—a model that combines educational excellence with human warmth.

References:

• [1] City of Munich: Münchner Förderformel Overview

• [2] Bayerischer Bildungs- und Erziehungsplan für Kinder (0–10 Jahre)

• [3] Familienpakt Bayern – Family Support Initiative

バイエルン州の州都ミュンヘンは、秩序立った高品質な幼児教育で知られています。ベルリンのように完全無償ではありませんが、「ミュンヘン支援フォーミュラ（Münchner Förderformel）」により、家庭の収入に応じた保育料補助が整備されています。
ミュンヘンでは、「学校準備能力（Schulfähigkeit）」を重視しつつも、子ども一人ひとりの個性を尊重する温かな教育環境が整っています。「バイエルン州教育育成計画（Bayerischer Bildungs- und Erziehungsplan）」に基づき、言語発達、社会性、音楽や芸術の導入などが教育の柱となっています。
さらに、「ファミリエンパクト・バイエルン（Familienpakt Bayern）」を通じ、働く家庭向けの柔軟な保育制度も推進されています。幼稚園では年齢混合クラス（altersgemischte Gruppen）を設け、自然な社会性を育む取り組みも行われています。
伝統を大切にしながらも、時代に合わせて柔軟に変化を取り入れるミュンヘンの幼児教育。その調和は、私たちにとっても目指すべき一つの理想です。

Berlin is a city that deeply values children’s education as a fundamental right. Since August 2018, daycare for children over one year old has been made completely free of charge under the Berlin Senate’s “Kostenfreie Kita” policy ([Reference 1]). This commitment ensures that financial circumstances do not limit access to early education.
Berlin also implements the “Berliner Bildungsprogramm” ([Reference 2]), a comprehensive curriculum guideline that emphasizes not only language acquisition but also personal development, creativity, and social skills. Recognizing the city’s cultural diversity, many Kitas offer bilingual programs, particularly German-English and German-Turkish.
In addition, the “Kita-Sozialarbeit” initiative ([Reference 3]) places trained social workers within kindergartens to support families facing social challenges.
The approach to early childhood education in Berlin is holistic: children are nurtured not only academically but socially and emotionally. They are encouraged to explore, to express themselves freely, and to develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
As a kindergarten manager, I find Berlin’s model inspiring—a society-wide commitment to supporting every child’s growth, regardless of background, is a principle we should all strive to embody.

References:

• [1] Berlin Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family: “Kostenfreie Kita” Initiative (2018)

• [2] Berliner Bildungsprogramm für Kitas und Kindertagespflege (2021 Edition)

• [3] Kita-Sozialarbeit Berlin Project Overview