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Read this page thoroughly to understand the application and admission process at NewLi
Application Process at NewLi International Kindergartens
Available Spaces and Care Contract Information
If you are interested in a place or have any questions about the registration process, please contact verwaltung@dai-kids.de. You can also reach us by phone at 06221-4165654, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00.
Your contact person is Celine Mähler, Head of Administration.
We are currently accepting applications for our Ocean House
located at the Heidelberg Innovation Park in the Heidelberg Südstadt.
The Ocean House opens in September of 2027 with approximately 30 spaces for Nursery (1 and 2-year-olds), and 60 Kindergarten spaces (3-6-year olds). Our Ocean House has an expansive private playground, and a brand new layout customized as the ideal space for children and families to enjoy.
Learn more about a place at NewLi by reaching out to our team at verwaltung@dai-kids.de.
Application & Registration Process
To register your child for a place at one of our kindergartens, you can use the central registration system of the City of Heidelberg:
Alternatively, you can send us the fully completed registration form directly by email.
You can download the application form here.
Please send your registration to the email address below. We are also happy to answer any questions about the registration process and allocation of places. Please do not hesitate to contact us:
Tel.: 06221-4165654 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)
Email: verwaltung@dai-kids.de
You will receive an immediate confirmation from us that your child has been added to our waiting list. If you registered through the City of Heidelberg's central registration system, you will also receive a confirmation from them.
Our team will contact you as soon as we have a place available for your child. Allocation of places for the new kindergarten year, which always begins in September, takes place at the end of February each year.
If you are interested in a place during the current kindergarten year (October to May) or in a short-notice admission, you can indicate this on our registration form or contact us directly by phone at 06221-4165654 and/or by email at verwaltung@dai-kids.de to receive timely information about availability. Admissions during the current year and short-notice admissions are not guaranteed and are only possible if places are available and can be accommodated organisationally.
We also invite you to visit us at an Open Day to get to know your preferred kindergarten. After signing the contract, you will receive all further information about starting at the crèche/kindergarten from the respective Kindergarten Leader (House Leader).
Preschool Spaces and Nursery Spaces
All houses accept ages 2-6. Our Arctic House in Neuenheim and our Ocean House at Heidelberg Innovation Park accept 1 year olds into their Nursery groups.
Placement Criteria
Available seats in our Kindergartens are allocated according to various criteria. Preference is given to siblings of currently enrolled children, and children with an international background. Date of application is also a decisive factor.
For our Neuenheim kindergartens (Arctic, Safari), priority is given to children who reside in Neuenheim.
Our other Kindergartens (Rainforest, Ocean) accept children from other parts of the city.
Admission Confirmation
You will receive the admission confirmation by email from the City of Heidelberg's central registration system through which you applied. Please follow all the steps outlined in this email. You will then receive further information about the next steps by email from our team. If you registered directly with us, you will also receive all information about the next steps by email from our team.
If you have any questions at this stage of the admission process, please contact verwaltung@dai-kids.de.
Tuition
As part of our mission, we strive to provide fair access to our kindergartens to as many families as possible. We offer a limited number of reduced tuition places through a tiered tuition system based on parent or guardian income.
Please keep in mind that reduced fees must have been applied for within the application process (see application form). If you are accepted to apply for a reduced fee, please provide proof of the gross income of both parents, in the format agreed upon. Proof of income must be submitted on a yearly basis.
Find out more about our tuition here.
Care Contract
After acceptance, our team will provide you with your Kindergarten Care Contract, clarifying all necessary details.
At this time, the respective kindergarten director (House Leader) will contact you and arrange an appointment for initial meetings with them as well as your child’s future caregivers. You will also receive the Parent Handbook and a list of all documents needed for this appointment, and have the opportunity to clarify all further practical questions with them.