Visiting Freiburg...lots of questions and requests for info!

[Jster]

I'm Jennifer, a single mama to two great little girls (2 and 4.5) and I'll be visiting Freiburg this summer for the month of July doing a study abroad! I'm so excited. I think I've found accomodations, but I'm having a problem with childcare. My mother was going to come with me for the experience and to watch the girls, but no longer wants to come, so I'm trying to figure out what else to do. My options are 1)another family member (I'm asking around!) 2)get someone to come with as a nanny (could be really expensive and I'm really poor!) or 3) find childcare in Germany. I need care 4 mornings a week for four weeks.

I actually LOVE Waldorf schooling, and practice it to some extent here at home, and also have a list of Waldorf schools in Freiburg. Does anyone have any general info about how they would work, what hours, ages, etc, are typical? I don't speak a word of German, unfortunately, so I haven't called and asked myself yet. But I may try to contact them soon...unless anyone has any suggestions! My almost 5yo is very, very articulate and I think she'd pick up things FAST, and as long as the girls could stay together I'm sure my youngest would be fine, as she's almost as attached to her sister as she is to me!!

Any help/suggestions/thoughts would be greatly, greatly appreciated!

Jennifer

[Vicitoria]

Hi Jennifer you must be really excited! I hope you have a great trip. I really don't know much about Freiburg but I do know that German schools are on vacation during July. Maybe not the whole month but depending on the area it will be part of July and part of August so having your kids go to an actual school here could be very difficult. Kindergartens and day cares often have waiting lists as well. I'd reccommend another family member coming with you or perhaps you could contact the school where you'll be studying and they can give you more information.

I hope someone posts with more information for you!

[Hollycrand]

In baden-wurttemburg school vacation starts in August.

[Hollycrand]

Sorry I didn't post more yesterday, but it was a hectic evening. Anyways, I'm in Stuttgart, which is the same 'state' as Freiburg.
You could probably find a Waldorf school/kindergarten (pre-school here in Germany) around Freiburg, and it will probably be open in July. Sometimes schools accept children on a short term basis in the summer (but you have to pay the normal rates - inexpensive by US standards - probably less than 100EUR per month), because so many children go on holiday (especially families without school age children who are looking to go on vacation before the official German summer holidays).
Most Waldorf schools accept children from the ages of 2-3, and it is only a half day (mornings). You could try to contact them from the States, but maybe ask someone who speaks German to help you.
Freiburg is a University town, and you might be able to find child care provided by a responsible student who would be looking to make some extra money and to practice their English. There might even be a teaching programme in Freiburg, whereby there might be several students around who would want the experience for their eventual career.
As a single mom, you might also be able to contact some of the services provided for single moms (often they've got babysitting networks or special rates for child care), but maybe you should ask the University about that one. If youre not a German taxpayer, I don't know if that would be possible. But Freiburg is a student town and perhaps has a different policy than industrial Stuttgart.
Let me know if you've got any other questions. I'd be happy to help the best I can.
Good luck!