The guidelines for migrating with family to Germany serves a specific design to ease the protocols involved in family reunification overseas. Ph.D. scholarship holders and/or full-scholarship holders will find the information here helpful.
Germany operates by laws and regulations. Of course, this means that you have certain essential information before migrating. Therefore, to be able to live in Germany, you should be law-abiding. This implies that as soon as you arrive, or before arrival you start reading to familiarize yourself with the laws. For those who can’t speak German, I would advise learning the basics: how to greet, how to ask for directions, etc.
For Migrants with Children below 3 years Old
While planning on migrating with family, (say wife & 2 kids below 3 years old), keep in mind that they have to attend preschool. This is because it is not quite easy getting a place at the preschool known as Kita in Germany. Although this depends on the city/state. There is usually a waiting list. Sometimes, migrants may not get a place until the child is 3 years old. However, it all depends on the priority list.
Quite often, working-class women are advised to register their child as soon as they give birth. This helps in getting a spot on the waiting list before the child is 12 months. This depends on when you want the child to resume at Preschool. You also may have heard that schooling in Germany is free. This however, does not apply to the preschool/KITA, except the person gets help from the government.
In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has made it even more challenging. The advice: as soon as you arrive in Germany, one of the registration to prioritize is looking for a Kita. Locate a close one to drop your Child’s application. This is so that he/she can also get on the waiting list and get a spot in time.
When your child fortunately/finally gets a place in the Kita, there is a period called settling-in-phase known as “Eingewöhnungsphase”. A parent would accompany the child to school to see how the child can adapt with & without his parent. This means that the first day, a parent would be in the class with the child. The next day, the parent comes and stays for a while then leaves and then called back. The stages are different for each child. However, if your child cries all through the weeks given for “settling-in”, it means he or she is not ready. The child might not be accepted eventually (although, this varies).
For Children from 3 Years and above
Although it’s not so challenging to get a place for toddlers from 3 years old who should attend the Kindergarten, the pandemic has made it a bit difficult. Currently, children of employed parents receive foremost priority. The good thing is that in most states, there is tuition fee waiver. Exceptions are when the child must eat lunch or breakfast in school; then you pay on monthly basis. As a student, Ph.D. holder, or whatever status you are migrating to Germany with, you should submit your child’s application in time; it will enable the child to get a place in time.
Have more questions in this regard? Contact diasporanarrative@yahoo.com
