Family
Children are our future. In addition to parents and grandparents, society itself must therefore also give children and young people sufficient freedom to develop individually as well as provide them with excellent education.
In Biberach, families get a great deal of support. If you and your partner are both actively employed, you know your children are in good hands at one of the many renowned childcare facilities. There is also a wide range of primary and secondary schools to choose from. Higher education is likewise possible in Biberach: The Biberach University of Applied Sciences trains the young people of today to become the researchers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Family reunification
We not only want to provide you with a new home, but also your family. It therefore goes without saying that we are happy to assist you in all matters surrounding family reunification.
Family reunification: important initial information
Childcare
When both parents work during the day, it is even more important that their children are well looked after. To this end, Biberach offers parents various different childcare options ─ be it for a few hours or the entire day.
Childcare fees
In Germany, every child from the age of one has a right to a childcare facility. This fee depends on the care needed and the age and number of children in the family. For children in their last year of kindergarten prior to starting school, the regular childcare offering is free of charge.
Families with lower incomes can be exempted from the fee in whole or in part upon application. The application form and an overview of the costs for your chosen care program can be found here.
Kindergarten: For the «bigger» little ones
When your children are a bit older, they will go to the kindergarten. Because these children are more independent, the groups at the kindergarten are somewhat larger. Otherwise, everything is the same as it was in the nursery. As parents, you can decide for yourself how much care you need for your child each week. At the local kindergarten, your little ones can play, romp around, paint, partake in handicrafts or cuddle to their heart's content ─ depending on what they want at the moment.
Child day care: The alternative to the nursery
Parents do not always feel comfortable having their young children cared for in a group with caregivers. If you cannot imagine this either, you can also place your child in the care of a so-called childminder, or nanny. These individuals will take care of your child in your place. They go to the playground, read, prepare meals and ensure they get enough sleep ─ either at your place or their own home.
In Germany, childminders are allowed to look after a few children at the same time to safeguard contact between peers and strengthen social skills. Just ask your preferred candidate how many children are welcome.
Nursery: For the very little ones
If a day care centre also offers a nursery, the youngest ones will be looked after here. Specially trained educators ensure that the little ones acquire enough sleep, play with the other children and develop their language and motor skills. Meals are also eaten together.
Kita (daycare)
This abbreviation stands for “Kinder-Tagesstätte”, or daycare. Various forms of care are grouped under this umbrella term.
Overview of daycare options in Biberach
Register for your preferred day care centre
Good to know: You should first inform yourself about the different types of childcare, then ask the daycare centres in question about their educational concept. Depending on the facility, children may only be looked after in the morning or for the entire day, separated by age or in mixed age groups, in German only or bilingually. Therefore be sure to make an appointment for a personal visit.
- Biberach is home to numerous childcare facilities ─ many of them primary schools, secondary schools, special education and counselling centres, vocational schools as well as other schools (Bruno-Frey-Musikschule (Bruno Frey music school), Jugendkunstschule (youth art school), etc.) and a university
- Children can be looked after for up to 55 hours a week
- Supplementary holiday care is possible
- The majority of childcare centres and many schools offer supplementary afternoon care so that both parents can work
- The costs associated with daycare centres are based on the number of children and income of the parents
- School attendance is compulsory in Germany and free of charge at state-funded schools
School
School attendance is mandatory for children of school age. At this time, you will first attend primary school, then a secondary school. Secondary schools comprise different types of school. Depending on your child's abilities, different types of secondary schooling are possible.
The majority of schools in Germany are run by the state and are therefore free of charge. You can, however, also sign your child up at a private school. You will then need to pay a fee for this.
Primary school
Primary schools are also called primary level. Here, children learn to read, write and do maths. A foreign language ─ typically English ─ also normally forms part of the curriculum as do sports, music, biology and art.
Secondary schools
Secondary school
A Hauptschule (secondary school) is a general education school at an intermediate level of education. In addition to theoretical subjects such as German, English and mathematics, a great deal of practical learning content is also given, such as cooking and handicrafts. After graduating from secondary school, students typically apply for an apprenticeship while attending a vocational school.
Junior high school
At the Realschule (junior high school), the level of instruction is higher than at the Hauptschule (secondary school) but is not as high as at the Gymnasium (grammar school). The Realschule certificate is called the “Mittlere Reife”. With their certificate in their pocket, students can either pursue a profession or complete their university entrance exam.
Grammar school
The Gymnasium (grammar school) is the highest level of education in the German school system. In addition to basic subjects such as mathematics, German, English, physics, biology and chemistry, students can also choose computer science or additional foreign languages up to and including Latin. With the Abitur (school leaving exam), they can then study at a university.
Comprehensive or community school
The comprehensive or community school is a hybrid of the three aforementioned schools. Depending on the school in question, students can get their Hauptschulabschluss (certificate of secondary education), Mittlere Reife (general certificate of secondary education) or Abitur (school leaving exam) here.
Students from abroad
If your child is already of compulsory school age but does not speak German yet or speaks minimal German, you are the one who decides on the appropriate type of schooling in consultation with the school authorities. In the majority of cases, your child first attends classes on a trial basis only until their German language skills are sufficient.
Are you in need of additional information on the German schooling system? On this Website you will find more in-depth explanations of all different types of school, whereas on our official website you can view a list of schools in Biberach you can choose from.
State family pass
The state of Baden-Württemberg, the south area of which Biberach is located in, has a very long history. The best way to experience previous times is to visit one of the many museums, castles and gardens ─ perhaps even free of charge.
Families who fulfil certain requirements receive reduced or even free admission to Baden-Württemberg’s cultural monuments with the state family pass. The list includes popular destinations such as Schloss Heidelberg (Heidelberg castle), the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart (state gallery in Stuttgart) and the Archäologische Landesmuseum (archaeological state museum) in Constance.
Not only an adult, but also other family members can be included in the family pass (e.g. your partner and children). Families with a minimum of three children are eligible as are single parents with at least one child or families with a disabled child.
All relevant information on the family pass is available here.
Other schools for children and adults
Volkshochschule (adult education centre), VHS
The adult education centres are primarily dedicated to adults and young people. Here, you can learn a foreign language (including German) during the day or in the evening, practise sewing or acquire a taste of the world of photography. The curriculum also includes remedial courses for individuals with learning disabilities as well as a comprehensive range of fitness and exercise courses for all ages.
The very diverse range of courses offered by the VHS is also accompanied by low fees. Participation is generally voluntary. An overview of the courses at the VHS Biberach is provided here.
Jugendkunstschule (youth art school), Juks
If you want to encourage your child's creativity, the Jugendkunstschule Biberach (Biberach youth art school) is the place to go. Here, children and youngsters learn to express themselves using all the tools that art allows. Be it theatre, dance, literature, media or design ─ a wide range of techniques and materials is available for young artists at the Juks Biberach.
Bruno-Frey Musikschule (Bruno-Frey music school)
Music is like a second language as it allows us to express ourselves and touch other people without even having to say a word.
The Bruno-Frey Musikschule is entirely dedicated to music. Here, children and young people (both with and without disabilities) can learn to play a musical instrument or improve their skills. You can choose between individual lessons, lessons in small groups or playing in an ensemble or orchestra. Students are also prepared for competitions, such as the Germany-wide competition “Jugend musiziert”.
Primary school children can learn an instrument or participate in basic music education for one year free of charge. Therefore come have a look with your child!
Bruno-Frey Music School Website
Hochschule Biberach (Biberach University of Applied Sciences)
The Biberach University of Applied Sciences is one of the leading universities in Germany and routinely ranks high in the ratings. Subjects include biotechnology, construction, architecture, energy and real estate. Students from different countries of origin currently take advantage of the practically-oriented courses on offer. They also benefit from good research and business networking and shape the future together with staff members.
Learn more about the study programmes on offer and student life at the Biberach University of Applied Sciences!