Our Mission

Rella’s Spielhaus, Manhattan’s first German Immersion Day Care, was founded in 2011 and quickly became a household name for highest quality German immersion education in New York.  We started with 3 days a week and since 2014 have been caring for 12 children full-time year round. On January 4th 2020, the Upper West Side Location at 50 West 97th Street opened with a capacity of 26 kids, spread over 3 classrooms, ages 0-5yrs.

Rella’s Spielhaus is designed to become the largest German Immersion Nursery and Preschool in Manhattan committed to continuing our mission of the highest educational standards and to sharing the German, Swiss and Austrian language and culture.  We create an environment of respect, creativity and curiosity where each child feels successful at becoming a valid member of his/her class. Our teachers – all native speakers from a German-speaking country with minimum one degree in early childhood education – create a nurturing and playful atmosphere where learning and exploration can happen freely and safely.

Barbara Rellstab, mother, award-winning actor, singer and bi-lingual teacher is a member of Columbia University’s Teachers College Bi-lingual and Bi-cultural Education Program and in close connection with current bi-lingual research. She is a speaker on the development of bi-lingual education through the screen on various platforms. (Click here)

The teachers at Rella’s Spielhaus are an integral part of your child’s experience at Rella’s. Led by the program and education director, they set clear and high expectations and give your child the space and time she/he needs to grow and learn. We take the time to closely getting to know each family so that we can provide a trusting and seamless start.

The Rella’s Spielhaus curriculum is inspired by influential European educators and educational systems such as Reggio Emilia, Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, Maria Montessori, Emmi Pikler, Lev Vygotksy, and Heinrich Pestalozzi. The child is at the center of any and all teachings. It is given the respect, space, time, knowledge and age-appropriate boundaries to learn and grow all aspects of its being – with our support and deep care. The school environment around the child features natural materials, healthy foods and a calm classroom atmosphere.