Key takeaways
- School entry health checks are mandatory in Germany.
- The medical check is free and intended to support the child and the parents in preparing for school.
- The medical examination results are shared with the health department, school authorities (if needed), and parents.
- Parents have the final say on when the child will start school in Germany. The health office and teachers can only provide recommendations.
This is how you do it
- You get a school entry check-up invitation from the local health department.
- You must bring the child’s medical book (Kinderpass), vaccination booklet (Impfungspass), and questionnaire, if any, to the health check-up.
- The doctor will suggest required measures based on the medical examination results.
Table of Contents
Starting primary school is a big change for the kids. It’s the beginning of a new, exciting phase of life for your child and yourself.
To enter this phase successfully, your child must be physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. The school entry health check-up offers the opportunity to ensure your child is ready for school.
What is the school entrance health examination (Einschulunguntersuchung)?
In Germany, school entry health check-ups are mandatory before school enrolment. The medical examination checks whether your child is fit for school.
During the health checks, the pediatrician examines the following things.
- Physical health: The doctor checks the child’s eyesight, hearing, and age-appropriate psychomotor development.
- Cognitive abilities include attention, the ability to complete work assignments, and age-appropriate language development.
- Social-emotional skills include self-confidence, enthusiasm for learning, and the ability to interact with other children.
The purpose of these health checks before starting school is to give parents and children time to work on issues found during the examination.
The school entrance medical examination differs significantly from the early detection health check-ups (U8 and U9). The early detection check-ups (U8 and U9) focus primarily on identifying acute and chronic illnesses that require treatment.
On the other hand, school entry health checks focus on the child’s school readiness. We have created a checklist of things your child should be able to do before starting school in Germany. You can download it here.
Things your child should be able to do before starting school in Germany
- Download the free checklist to assess if your child is ready for school.
- It’s only a recommendation. You should use it as a guideline to prepare your child for school in Germany.
Two parts of school entry health checks (Einschulunguntersuchung)
The school entry medical examination (Einschulunguntersuchung or Schuleingangsuntersuchung) consisted of two parts.
- School entrance screening (Schuleingangsscreening)
- School medical examination (Schulärztliche Untersuchung)
The first part is mandatory for all children in Germany before they enter elementary school. However, the second part is carried out in individual cases only.
The table below summarizes the two parts of the medical checkup.
| School entrance medical screening (Schuleingangsscreening) | School medical examination (Schulärztliche Untersuchung) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory for all children | Carried out in individual cases |
| What happens during the school entrance screening? The pediatrician checks the medical history of the child. Weight and height measurement Testing eyesight (vision) and hearing Examine the linguistic and motor development of the child The doctor reviews the child’s medical booklet (Kinderpass) to check the last preventive health check-ups (U8 and U9). The doctor reviews the child’s vaccination booklet to ensure the child has all the necessary vaccinations. | In which cases does the school medical examination happen? If you haven’t done the preventive health check (U9). If issues were detected during the preventive health check (U8 or U9). If the child never attended Kita If you (parent) request it. What happens during the school medical examination? It’s similar to U8 or U9 The doctor examines the child’s physical health. If there are any findings, the doctor will recommend appropriate measures. |
Why is the health check-up before starting school necessary?
School entry medical examinations are legally required for all children in Germany. However, you should do it for the following reasons.
- You are unsure whether your child should start school, especially if your kid is younger than the children in the group. School entry health checks are another decision-making aid for parents.
- The health check-up examines if your child is physically, mentally, and socially fit for school. The pediatrician recommends measures if they find something during the check-up. This ensures that your child has a smooth school start.
When do the school entry health checks take place?
The school entry medical check-up takes place two years before admission to primary school. Your local health authorities (Gesundheitsamtes) will send you a medical examination invitation.
If you don’t receive the invitation, contact the health authorities. You must take the school entry health check on time for two reasons.
- You’ll have enough time to work with your child to improve their health and development.
- It’s a prerequisite for school enrollment in Germany.
All children between the ages of 46 and 48 months must undergo the U8 preventive medical examination. Similarly, all children between 60 and 64 months undergo U9 health checks.
The doctor needs the most recent age-appropriate preventive health check (U8 or U9) during the school entry medical checkup.
Suppose your child hasn’t undergone U8 or U9 yet. In this case, part 2 of the school entry health check is also done.
Who examines the child during school entry health checks?
- Part 1, the school entrance medical screening (Schuleingangsscreening), is carried out by pediatric nurses.
- Part 2, the school medical examination (Schulärztliche Untersuchung), is carried out by a pediatrician.
The school entry medical check-up occurs in the kindergarten or health department (Gesundheitsamt). Parents are requested to be present during the health check for the following reasons.
- The child feels more comfortable when you (parents) are present during the medical examination.
- You can answer the doctor’s questions, if any.
- The doctor can share their observations/results of the examination straight away.
What happens after the school entry health checkup?
- The doctor explains and discusses the health check results with the parents. The health department also informs the parents what data they will share with whom.
- The medical check-up results are sent to the state’s health department. Of course, your child’s personal data, such as name and address, are not shared. The health department uses the data to statistically evaluate the health status of children in a given year group.
- The medical examination results are also shared with the school. However, the results are shared only if they are important for the child’s successful integration into school. For example, sharing chronic illnesses with the school, such as asthma, heart defects, diabetes, metabolic illnesses, or allergies.
- The health department informs the school if the child must attend a preparatory German course. This is helpful for children of expats living in Germany.
- The health department informs the school management about children who need individual support in class. For example, kids who need wheelchair support or who have severe visual or hearing impairments.
Sharing the health checkup information with the school is essential for the best integration of the children.
FAQ
How much does the school entry health check cost?
The school entry medical examination is free in Germany. The local health department organizes it.
Who decides when the child goes to school?
It depends on the federal state you live in. However, in most German states, parents decide when their children go to school.
Kindergarten teachers, school entry health checkers, and primary school teachers can only make recommendations.
If you want your child to attend school early or one year later, you must inform the schooling writing.
NOTE: The school has the right to decide which students to accept. So, even if you want to send your child early, the school may reject the admission.
Should you prepare the child for the school entry health check?
You don’t have to prepare your child for a health checkup. Remember, the medical examination is to help your child and you get ready for school.
Just inform your child about the checkup and what will happen. This way, your child won’t be surprised when they meet the doctor.
How long does the school entry medical examination take?
It can take around 30 to 60 minutes.
What do you need to bring with you to the school entry health check-up?
You must bring the following documents to the school entry health check.
- Child’s medical history book (Kinderpass or Kinderuntersuchungheft)
- Vaccination booklet
- If you received a questionnaire with the invitation letter, you must complete it and bring it to the health check.
Is there a questionnaire for the school entry health check?
Yes, you receive a questionnaire with the medical check invitation letter, or it’s handed out during the checkup.
The questionnaire contains general questions about your child’s physical, social, and emotional health. The questions vary from one federal state to another.
Moreover, in some federal states, it’s mandatory to fill it out.
School entry health checkup went badly. What now?
There may be a deferral if the school entrance examination results speak against enrollment. However, schooling is compulsory in Germany. Thus, the tendency is always to ensure that a child of school age is enrolled.
