die  Kindertagesstätte

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkɪndɐˌtaːɡəsˌʃtɛtə/

👶 What does 'die Kindertagesstätte' mean?

Die Kindertagesstätte (often shortened to Kita) is a German term for a daycare center or nursery school. It's an institution providing care for preschool-aged children, and sometimes also school children after school (then often called Hort). It offers education, upbringing, and care for children whose parents might be working, for example.

The term encompasses various forms of childcare, such as:

• Kinderkrippe: For children under 3 years old (crèche).
• Kindergarten: For children from about 3 years old until they start school.
• Hort: For school children after their lessons (after-school care center).

The word is feminine in German, so the article is always die: die Kindertagesstätte.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Kindertagesstätte

The noun „Kindertagesstätte“ is feminine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Kindertagesstätte öffnet um 7 Uhr morgens.
   (The daycare center opens at 7 a.m.)
2. Wir suchen eine gute Kindertagesstätte für unsere Tochter.
   (We are looking for a good daycare center for our daughter.)
3. Das Kind geht gerne in die Kindertagesstätte.
   (The child enjoys going to the daycare center.)
4. Die Qualität der Kindertagesstätte ist uns sehr wichtig.
   (The quality of the daycare center is very important to us.)
5. Viele neue Kindertagesstätten wurden in der Stadt gebaut.
   (Many new daycare centers were built in the city.)

💡 Everyday Usage

The term Kindertagesstätte is the official and comprehensive term for childcare facilities in Germany. However, in everyday language, the abbreviation Kita is used very frequently.

Context:

• People talk about Kindertagesstätten in formal contexts, e.g., in laws, official documents, or pedagogical discussions.
• Parents and educators usually use the word Kita in conversation.
• Depending on the children's age and the specific services offered, terms like Kindergarten, Krippe, or Hort are also used, with Kita often serving as an umbrella term.

⚠️ Potential confusion: Sometimes Kindergarten is used synonymously with Kindertagesstätte, although a Kindergarten traditionally only cares for children aged 3 and older. A Kita, however, can also accept younger children (Krippe).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article „die“: Think of die Stätte (the site/place - a feminine noun in German) where children spend die (the) majority of their day. Or connect it to other feminine concepts like die Betreuung (the care), die Erziehung (the education) which take place in der Kindertagesstätte (Dative case here).

For the meaning: Break down the word: Kinder (children) + Tages (of the day) + Stätte (site/place). It's literally a 'children's day place'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Kita Joke

Fragt die Erzieherin in der Kindertagesstätte: "Na, Timmy, was möchtest du später einmal werden?"
Timmy überlegt kurz und sagt: "Rentner!"

Translation: The educator at the daycare center asks: "Well, Timmy, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Timmy thinks for a moment and says: "A pensioner!"

📜 Poem about the Kita

Die Kindertagesstätte, bunt und laut,
Wo jedes Kind sich bauen traut.
Mit Baustein, Puppe, Farbe, Ball,
Beginnt der Tag – und das mit Schall!

Hier wird gespielt, gelernt, gelacht,
Bis Mama oder Papa sagt: "Gute Nacht!"
Ein Ort des Wachsens, froh und frei,
Die Kita ist für viele dabei.

Translation:
The daycare center, colorful and loud,
Where every child dares to build proud.
With blocks, dolls, paint, and ball,
The day begins – resounding for all!

Here they play, learn, laugh with glee,
Till Mom or Dad says, "Time for thee!"
A place of growing, happy and free,
The Kita's there for many, you see.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Haus für Klein und Groß,
Hier ist den ganzen Tag was los.
Man spielt und lernt und singt im Chor,
Bevor es heim geht durch das Tor.
Oft nennt man mich auch kurz und knapp,
Besonders wenn die Zeit wird knapp.

Translation:
I am a house for small and tall,
There's something happening here for all.
They play and learn and sing in chorus,
Before going home through the door before us.
Often, I'm called by a shorter name,
Especially when time's a pressing game.

(Solution: die Kindertagesstätte / die Kita)

ℹ️ Other Information about Kindertagesstätte

Word Composition:

The word „Kindertagesstätte“ is a compound noun, made up of three parts:

• Kinder (plural of Kind = child)
• Tages (genitive of Tag = day, meaning 'of the day')
• Stätte (site, place, facility)

So it literally means: A place for children during the day.

Social Significance:

Kindertagesstätten play a crucial role in German society. They help reconcile family and work life and have an important educational mandate in early childhood development. Expanding the number of Kita places is a significant political topic in Germany.