The early years phase is where most families first meet the Bavarian International School, one of the leading international schools in Munich. Known within the school as Early Childhood, it admits children from age three and forms the start of the IB Primary Years Programme rather than a separate nursery bolted on the side. That continuity is the point, because a child who starts in Early Childhood moves on into the primary years and beyond without changing school.
Bavarian International School Early Years at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB Primary Years Programme, Early Childhood phase |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early childhood, from age 3 to around age 6 |
| Founded | 1991 (school); early years run on both campuses |
| Accreditation | Council of International Schools and NEASC; approved by the Bavarian government |
| Language | English medium with early German exposure |
| Fee band | Premium for Munich |
| Campuses | Munich Schwabing and Haimhausen |
Curriculum and academics
Early Childhood at BIS is the first stage of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Learning is play based and inquiry led, with the day structured around exploration, social and emotional development and early literacy and numeracy rather than formal desk work. Homeroom bases give each group a settled community space, with areas for play, building and imaginative work that suit how young children actually learn.
Teaching is in English, and German is introduced gently so that children growing up in Bavaria start to pick up the host language early. Because the early years sit inside the same framework as the rest of the school, the transition into Grade 1 is a continuation rather than a fresh start, which reassures parents who want stability for a young child during a relocation.
Estimate the full cost of a place
Use the fee calculator to plan tuition plus registration, bus, lunch and trips for Bavarian International School Early Years.
Bavarian International School Early Years fees
Bavarian International School Early Years fees sit at the entry point of the school premium pricing within the Munich international school fees range, since the early years are usually the lowest tuition tier and fees rise with each stage. The school publishes the current annual figure by year group, and that published number is the one to plan against.
On top of tuition, budget a registration charge, lunch, and a school bus if you choose the Haimhausen campus and live in the city. Many early years families also use the care offered after the school day, which extends cover into the late afternoon and is worth confirming when you compare the true cost of a place.
Admissions
Early years admission runs to an August start, with places offered through the year where a group has room. For the youngest children the process is light touch, focused on age, readiness and a short familiarisation rather than any formal test. Demand for early years places is steady, so families relocating with a toddler or preschooler should register interest as soon as plans firm up.
Parents choose between the Schwabing city campus and the Haimhausen campus at this stage, which often comes down to where you will live and whether you want a central base for the early years before any later move to Haimhausen for the full continuum.
Location and who goes there
The early years run on both BIS sites. The city campus on Leopoldstrasse in Schwabing suits families who want a central location for a young child, while the Haimhausen campus offers green surroundings north of the city for those who prefer space and plan to keep the child in the school long term. School buses serve the Haimhausen site from across the area.
Early years families tend to live in Schwabing and the northern districts, close to whichever campus they choose. For how those neighbourhoods compare and where younger expatriate families settle, the Munich city hub maps the districts and their schools.
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Frequently asked questions
What age can children start at BIS Early Years?
Children can join the Early Childhood phase from age three. It is the first stage of the IB Primary Years Programme and feeds directly into the primary school, so there is no change of school between the early years and Grade 1.
How much are BIS Early Years fees?
The early years are usually the lowest tuition tier at a premium Munich school, so they sit at the entry point of the BIS fee range. The school publishes the current annual figure by year group, with registration, lunch and optional bus and after school care on top.
Is BIS Early Years play based?
Yes. Early Childhood at BIS is play based and inquiry led, with the day built around exploration, social and emotional development and early literacy and numeracy rather than formal lessons.
Which campus offers the early years?
Both campuses run the early years. The Schwabing city campus suits families who want a central base, while the Haimhausen campus offers space north of the city and the full continuum for the longer term.
When do BIS Early Years applications open?
The main intake starts in August, with places offered through the year where a group has room. Apply as soon as a Munich move is confirmed, since early years demand is steady.
