• Owner: Sybille Cohen
• Phone: (510) 525-3105
• Email: Sybille@kinderstube.org
• Neighborhood: Key Route
• Zip: 94706
• License #: 013412710
• Capacity: 30
• Website: www.kinderstube.org
• Bilingual: German
• Ages: 2.5 - 5 years

I am interested in the Bay Area Kinderstube in Albany. I'd really appreciate any feedback from parents whose children attend this pre-school. In particular, whether you believe a child from a non-German speaking family would still benefit from the exposure to German and not become overly confused or frustrated. Also, information about the quality of care in general and the facility would be terrific.
Mom seeking bilingual education

My boys' German has really flourished in the second year of the program, but they also get it from their Dad every day. So much depends on the child and their interest in the language and their linguistic development that is is hard to say how any one child without German in the home would do. I don't think confusion is a problem, however, since the children learn very quickly to understand the spoken German even if they respond to the teachers in English (although with time they are encouraged to respond in German, of course). There are many mixed families at the school with one parent that speaks German in the home. Talk to the teachers at the school about your concerns with the language as they have a lot of experience with many different learning styles. parent of BAKS

The Bay Area Kinderstube (BAKS) is a small German language preschool that presently has openings for 2 to 5-year olds. Children do not have to be German speaking to enter the preschool. Children sign up for anywhere between 3 mornings a week to 5 full days per week. BAKS provides a very safe and intimate environment for the children, and all of the teachers are fabulous. My children have been going for almost 3 years and now speak fluent German. Also affiliated with the BAKS school is an after school literacy program for older children as well as a 'Krabbelgruppe', or informal playgroup, for children under 2 years of age. Contact: Anna-Maria Torok, (510) 525-3105

Re: Seeking German language ''class'' for kids

Hi, You may want to call the Bay Area Kinder Stube in Albany. There number is (510) 525-3105. It is a wonderful preschool as taught in the German Language. They also have afternoon programs for older kids, music, reading/writing, movement, etc. all taught in German. It might be nice to reinforce the language with other children. Dori

The Bay Area Kinder Stube is an intimate, language-based school for children ages 2 to 5. Our mission is to make German language development an integral part of the social-emotional, physical and cognitive development of the child. The language of instruction and interaction is exclusively German.

The BAKS community is mainly composed of families with at least one native German-speaking parent. But even for those with limited German, a commitment to raising children with a rich awareness of cultural and linguistic differences can make BAKS a rewarding educational experience.

BAKS offers a full morning program Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Extended care is available from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. three days a week. The class size is limited to 15 students under the care of two staff members and a teachers' aide.

BAKS was founded in 1994 as a parent-led German-language play group and opened its doors as a state-licensed preschool in 1997. Our bright, open facility includes a generous play yard, play structure, vegetable and flower beds and a unique German-language book and video lending library. BAKS is steps from Albany's Solano Avenue and easily accessible from Interstate 80, as well as by bus or on foot from the UC University Village.

Bay Area Kinder Stube
A unique German-language
preschool in the East Bay

842 Key Route Blvd
Albany CA 94705
Phone: 510.525.3105
www.kinderstube.org
License # 013412710