How the early years sector works
Munich's early years sector splits structurally into three age bands. Kinderkrippe covers infants and toddlers from 12 weeks to age 3. Kindergarten covers age 3 to age 6, when children begin Grundschule. The international school early years units sit on top of this, running reception year groups feeding directly into the primary school of the same campus. Together this gives roughly 45 settings across the city that operate in English or as English-German bilingual options for international families.
The largest providers are the early years units of the international schools. Bavarian International School at Schwabing-Freimann and Haimhausen run early years from age 3 with a primary years model that integrates into the IB PYP. Munich International School at Starnberg runs an English-medium early years programme alongside the main school. Outside the international schools, bilingual Kinderkrippe operators such as Joki and Kids Cottage run multi-site networks across central and eastern Munich, prioritising small mixed-age groups and English-speaking lead carers. A growing cluster of English-medium Montessori Kinderhauser provides a methodological alternative for families committed to that approach.
Fees and the state subsidy question
Munich early years fees run from about EUR 6,400 at the smaller bilingual Kinderkrippen up to EUR 18,800 at the early years units of Munich International School and Bavarian International School. Half-day rates sit roughly 40 percent below full-day, with the highest-cost option being full-day care plus meals at the international school early years. Bavarian state-funded Kindergarten places carry a heavily reduced parental contribution, typically EUR 1,800 to EUR 3,800 a year, but most operate in German only and have catchment area priorities.
The German federal Krippe and Kita Beitrag system reduces fees further for Munich-registered families through a sliding income scale. For high-earning expat families the reduction is modest; for middle-income households it can halve the effective bill. Eligibility runs through the Stadt Munchen Kindergartenanmeldung portal. International nurseries outside the state subsidy framework usually charge full fees, even to local taxpayers. The Munich fees guide covers the loading mathematics. Our fees comparison tool shows tuition by year group across cities.
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Illustrative example settings
The settings below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each operates with established Munich early years credentials.
Bavarian International School Early Years at the Schwabing-Freimann city campus runs from age 3 in an English-medium Primary Years Programme environment, with structured German immersion sessions. Children typically transition directly into the BIS primary school at age 6, removing the year four Gymnasium recommendation pressure that families integrating into the Bavarian state system face. The Haimhausen campus runs an equivalent setting for families based further north.
Munich International School Early Years at Starnberg accepts children from age 3 into the IB PYP early years group, with a strong outdoor learning element drawing on the lakeside campus. Pupils feed directly into the MIS primary school.
Joki Kinderkrippe and Kindergarten runs eight sites across central and southern Munich including Glockenbachviertel, Schwabing-West, Untergiesing and Solln. Bilingual model with one English-speaking and one German-speaking lead carer in each room. Popular with families who want continuity into a state Grundschule alongside English exposure.
Kids Cottage International Preschool in Bogenhausen is a smaller English-medium preschool with around 50 children, popular with corporate expat families on shorter Munich postings.
Where young families live
Young expat families in Munich cluster around four zones shaped by nursery and downstream primary school catchment. Schwabing, Schwabing-Freimann and Neuhausen for direct access to Bavarian International School Schwabing, Joki sites and Phorms Bilingual Campus, with strong cafe culture and U-Bahn links. Bogenhausen, Herzogpark and Englschalking for villa stock plus access to Kids Cottage, Munich International Montessori School and the Maria-Theresia-Gymnasium feeder primaries.
Starnberg, Tutzing and Pocking for Munich International School families, with lakeside living and a long-established expatriate community. Gruenwald, Solln and the Isar valley for villa stock plus access to both BIS Haimhausen via the A99 and MIS Starnberg via the southern motorway corridor. Our Munich relocation coverage in the best areas for expat families guide goes into more detail. Our cost calculator bundles transport, fees and housing into a single total relocation budget.
Admissions and the waiting list game
Munich nursery admissions cycle is unlike the school admissions cycle in two important ways. First, premium international and bilingual settings operate waiting lists of 12 to 24 months because Kinderkrippe places are heavily subsidised by the state, and the high-cost private settings benefit from word-of-mouth referrals among the expat community. Second, the Bavarian state Kindergarten admission process opens once the child is two and runs through the centralised Stadt Munchen portal, with offers made between February and April for the following September.
For relocation timing: register before your move is confirmed if possible. Bavarian International School and Munich International School accept early years registrations from birth, with priority for siblings of existing pupils and for families confirmed to be moving to Munich within 24 months. International nurseries outside the state network typically place infants within four to eight weeks of registration in lower-demand neighbourhoods, but Schwabing and Bogenhausen waiting lists can stretch up to two years. Documentation requirements include vaccination records, a confirmed tenancy and the family's Anmeldung at the Buergeramt.
For our editorial coverage of how to find the right early years setting in Munich see the best international schools in Munich guide. Our school finder quiz shortlists three settings based on age, budget and home area in five minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How many international nurseries are there in Munich?
Munich has around 45 settings that operate in English or as English-German bilingual nurseries, from ages 0 to 5. This count includes early years units attached to the international schools, dedicated bilingual Kinderkrippen, and a smaller cluster of English-language Montessori houses.
What does an international nursery in Munich cost?
Annual fees run from about EUR 6,400 at the smaller bilingual Kinderkrippen to EUR 18,800 at the early years units of Munich International School and Bavarian International School. Half-day rates are roughly 40 percent lower, with full-day care including meals at the top end.
From what age do Munich nurseries accept children?
Kinderkrippe settings accept infants from 12 weeks old up to age 3. Kindergarten provision starts at age 3 and continues to age 6, when children begin Grundschule. International school early years units typically begin at age 3 with reception classes feeding directly into the primary school.
Do Munich nurseries offer English or German?
International nurseries operate in English with German introduced as a second language. Bilingual Kinderkrippen and Kindergartens split lessons evenly between the two languages, typically with one English-speaking and one German-speaking lead in each room.
When should I apply for a Munich nursery place?
Apply as soon as your move is confirmed. Premium settings in Schwabing, Bogenhausen and the early years units of Bavarian International School and Munich International School have waiting lists of 12 to 24 months. Bavarian state-funded Kinderkrippen accept registrations from pregnancy onwards.
