242. Who decides whether a child in Germany attends kindergarten?

Answer options

1. the state
2. the federal states (Länder)
3. the parents / the legal guardians
4. the schools

Explanation

Under Article 6(2) of the Basic Law, the care and upbringing of children are primarily the natural right of parents; the state merely oversees their exercise. Attendance at a kindergarten/child day-care facility is in principle voluntary; there is a statutory entitlement to a place from the child’s first birthday (§ 24 Book VIII of the Social Code), but no duty to attend. Legislative competence for early childhood education and care lies with the Länder (Arts. 30, 70 GG), yielding differing regulations without displacing parental decision-making authority. Compulsory schooling begins only upon school entry, not in kindergarten.