History and Purpose:

South Winnipeg Kinderschule was founded by a group of parents in 1987 so that their children could be exposed to the German language at an early age.

We were the first German-English bilingual pre-school established in Manitoba in over 25 years. We are proud to maintain an excellent child/teacher ratio. We are not associated with any religious group or faith-based organization. While we are part of the German-speaking community in general, we are not affiliated with any specific groups, and welcome participation from families of all backgrounds, including those with no previous experience with the German language.

Kinderschule employs bilingual teachers, who instruct with the utmost in professionalism.

Our programs focus on the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of the child, while encouraging German language skills.

Much More than an Ordinary Pre-School!

At Kinderschule, all children from German speaking and non-German speaking backgrounds are welcome. The children are gently guided at their own pace into the German language. This is done through daily activities, and through a rich variety of seasonal themes.

Communication is Vital...

Parents are informed of current happenings through a newsletter and a monthly calendar of program events and themes. Each month, a list is provided of new vocabulary, with lyrics and music to songs, to let parents become an active part of their children's learning.

As well, parents are encouraged to stay and observe their children at Kinderschule, and to discuss progress with the teachers.

We've introduced monthly gatherings for parents who are available and wish to learn the songs and vocabulary in the context of a social time.

Historical perspective

The South Winnipeg Kinderschule is a licensed, non-profit English-German bilingual nursery school. Children aged 3-5 years old (and now 1-2 years as well, through our new playgroup) are eligible to attend and a German background or knowledge of the German language is not required. The Kinderschule proves an excellent 'early' language learning opportunity for children to learn a second or third language and is staffed by bilingual teachers instructing with professionalism and care for the development of the children. The Kinderschule is a member of the Manitoba Child Care Association and the German-Canadian Congress and maintains connections with other German language educational groups in the city and Canada.

Objectives

It is the objective of the Kinderschule to promote the use of the German language and the culture and customs of German-Canadians by creating an environment whereby the German language and culture within the Canadian multicultural framework is promoted through social and intellectual interaction.

The desire for the Kinderschule to use German as a language of instruction does not exclude the use of English in its day to day activities. The Board of Directors of the Kinderschule recognizes that incorporating the reality of our Canadian sociocultural environment is an important aspect of an early childhood leaning experience. The program reflects and reinforces this important concept.

Organization and Operation

The Kinderschule was established in 1987 by Ilse Hansch Pflug, a professional German language teacher/child care worker level III. The members of the first Board of Directors were:

• Ilse Hansch Pflug (Founding president and School Director)
• Aileen Ohlendorf (Vice President)
• Rita Weppler (Treasurer)

The invaluable assistance and advice of Mrs. Mary Bradshaw, at the time, Executive Director at the Manitoba Parents for German Education, helped enable the organization of the Kinderschule and is gratefully acknowledged.

The Kinderschule was incorporated under The Corporations Act (Manitoba) on October 5th, 1987 and licensed by Family Services (Child Day Care). On July 1, 1990, the Kinderschule qualified for tax-exempt status as a registered charity and was determined to be a Charitable Organization by Revenue Canada Income Tax.

We are able to issue tax receipts for donations, and encourage those interested in promoting German language and culture education for young children to make an annual contribution to Kinderschule. Please contact us.