UK -> DE driver's license

Recently a parent posted her experience with getting her UK license transferred to a German license. She lives outside of Stadt München, in the Kreis München, so something are a little different, but overall the procedure is very similar for city and county. She was kind enough to let us repost her experience. We appreciate it and so will all the parents it helps!

This group has always given me so much information that I thought I would share some info back about changing my UK driving license to a german one. I hope some people find it useful! 

I needed with me: 

1. passport 
2. standard sized (35mm x 45mm) biometric passport photo,  
3. driving license (both card and paper)
4. registration document with your current address (mine had to be issued by Garching but it didn't have my new address on - they have charged me an extra 5 euros to check it I think)
5. This form filled in: Antrag auf Erteilung einer Fahrerlaubnis für Kraftfahrzeuge  which can be found on this page:  Ausländische Fahrerlaubnis umschreiben

Go to Bretonisher Ring 1 (nearest station Vatterstetten). In the building follow signs for Fuerherscheinstelle which should take you up to the first floor.

In the waiting room collect a ticket for the queue by selecting the Ausländer Fahrschein. You'll be called to the desk via the screen. Looks like this would be where you get an International License too as that was one of the options. There was also a sign about waiting times and people who are pregnant/have young children but I didn't manage to translate it fully, but you might get some sort of priority. However, today I only waited for about 10-15mins.The person serving me spoke reasonable english and helped me fill in bits of the form I wasn't sure about. To pay you get given a plastic credit card with the amount on. My total was about 35 eurosYou go down to the automatic Kasse machines back down the stairs and you can pay with cash or card. Take the receipt back up (you don't have to wait again) and they'll give you copies of your old license (they keep it) which are stamped to say they have it. I'm now waiting for a postcard to say to ring up to arrange to collect it...in about 4 weeks. At the very end of the process I was told you have to come in person (I can't do it for my husband) but apparently I could also have done it in Garching Rathaus - where I live(!) - so you might want to check if you can do it more locally if you can.

Car seats in flight?

Have you ever asked which car seat are you allowed to use in flight? It gets confusing because you are flying from one country to another, or possibly one continent. Different rules in each land can be stressful.

ADAC has made a list of which airlines allow which ECE approved seats. The list is not comprehensive nor is it binding.

From @ADAC Please click to see full recommendations.

For information on Canadian car seat use. Please visit Transport Canada's website.
Advisory Circular (AC) No. 605-003

The purpose of this document is to provide operators with information regarding:

(a) The use of child restraint systems on aircraft;

(b) The acceptance of additional child restraint systems manufactured to foreign standards; 

(c) The use of other seating devices by infants, children, or special needs passengers; and 

(d) The evacuation of infants and small children.

From Transport Canada Please click to see full recommendations

Please be sure to read the document in its entirety to fully understand and stay up to date with the latest information.

The FAA provides information for US bound/outbound flights. For use in flight, the seat must say "This seat is certified for use in flight."

I have had the problem of my child's FAA approved car seat not fitting properly. It was a Sunshine Kids Radian and there was not enough space to have it rear facing. The person in front of us complained he couldn't lean his seat back and I complained because the Radian was nearly upright. The flight attendant told me I would just have to hold my baby for the entire 9 hour flight.  I told her I didn't pay for a ticket for the child to hold her for 9 hours. She quickly reassigned our seats. Therefore I find this tidbit of information very interesting:

From FAA

I know this is not a worldwide comprehensive list, but this covers the countries I fly to. I hope it helps. If you want more tips for flying with children, please join our group Parents in Munich

Muenchen.de

Have you ever delved into muenchen.de?

There is so much information there. Most information is in German, but they also have a separate English, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic and Chinese sections. Chrome offers a translation of the page.

@Chrome Google credits

I cannot comment on languages other than English, but the English section is well organized. It offers slightly different information than the main German section. It is also not a complete translation to English from the German section. It offers channels for English speaking expats to get more information (like from Parents in Munich )

Are you relocating to Munich and need help, of course we at Parents in Munich always want to help, but sometimes you may have more specific questions or need more help? Muenchen.de has listed Relocation Services.

Muenchen.de has made a comprehensive list of international school in and around Munich. Here is the list. You can join our group to discuss the pros and cons of different schools to make the best choice for your family.

Are you seeking other expats to talk to? Check out Muenchen.de for a large list of expats, communities, groups and clubs. Expat Networks

If you ever have any questions, we are happy to help translate for you to the best of our ability. Although this is not an official translation, this will be our interpretation.

Please have a gander around muenchen.de

Schulranzen in Munich

I have had Schulranzen given to me, bought them online and in person. With my last child I tried Southbag Megastore (which I think has switched names since I was there?). The service was ok. Lots of young girls working in a large warehouse style store, but no real individual help that I had heard so much about. I was told by several of them, "Just let the child chose". I am ok with that, but I had heard for so many years, "The child must be properly fitted for his schulranzen...." (I am still not drinking the Kool Aid). There are so many ugly designs or designs that I can see a current 5/6 yr old disliking or outgrowing by next year, let alone in 4th grade... I did not want to leave the decision completely up to my child.

On one of my many trips to Schön Clinic this year, the Schulranzen.com Fachcenter München Giesing caught my eye. Last week while after a doctor appointment in Haar, I stopped at a Paper store because they had Schulranzen in the window. I asked for a fire department Schulranzen, because that is what my child wanted. (Specifically, he wanted the exact same matching bag to his kindergarten Scouty bag)

The woman working told me that none of those actually belonged to her store, but actually belonged to Schulranzen.com. She described the directions to me and a light bulb went off, connecting her words to the place I had seen. She also mentioned that Friday June 2, 2017 was their one year anniversary and they were having a small party.

I took 2 of my children with me to the store. I was immediately greeted with "Grüß Gott".  The staff were kind and helpful. The woman helped to adjust the straps on each of the bags I gently suggested to my child. She, unfortunately did not have any fire department bags (which BTW I can only find one decent one from Scout on amazon)

image from amazon.de

Luckily, my child went directly to my top pick bag, the Ergo bag. The Ergo bag is great in my opinion, is that the colors aren't the hideous blue orange that other brands seem to keep as their mainstay. They have pleasing colors and designs that don't seem easily outgrown. The Ergobag has "kletties"which are velcro pictures/patches for the bags. They offered a fire one for my son! He was happy, I was happy.

Then he saw that the bags from School Mood offer bigger "patchies"(same thing as a klettie). His favorite quickly changed from Ergobag to School Mood. I was not a fan of the colors of the School Mood. I tried to get him to go back to Ergobag.... No going back. He wanted the blue blocked bag with the fire department patchies. Eventually I came around to the idea of the School Mood because it had a zipper opening instead of the flip open lid that most Schulranzen have.

After we decided on the one from School Mood, the sales woman took a picture of my son with his new big kid school bag and printed it on a certificate! Then the kids were allowed to spin the "Glücksrad". One child won a t-shirt from Burton and the other won another patchy!

As we were paying, the sales people let us know that we could register our School Mood bag online for added warranty, an extra set of pencils after two years and a free prize! 

Next time I need a Schulranzen, I will definitely go back here. The selection is not as big as other places, but it is more convenient for me to get there and to get around at that store.

School screening part II

This is my interpretation of muenchen.de advice on school screenings. I am not affiliated with muenchen.de nor the city of Munich. My German is not perfect, but this is the best of my understanding. If you have more questions, feel free to ask on Parents in Munich.

This is how the check up goes

The visit in the Referat für Gesundheit und Umwelt (Department of Health and Environment) start with a 20 minute screening with a pediatric nurse. During this screening, there will be a seeing and hearing test, as well as height and weight check. Small tests to show body and speech development of the child.

The yellow check up booklet and the vaccine booklet will be looked over, vaccine advice is given according to guidelines.

When will the school doctor be seen?

• If the U9 has not been documented, missing or not completed
• If the pediatric nurse noticed health problems in the screenings
• If the parents have questions about the health and development of their child
• If the child has a chronic illness and the parents have questions regarding school
• If the child has a developmental delay and the parents have questions regarding school

What is the medical screening like?

• Recording the health and developmental history 
• Physical and neurological screening
• Speech, mental and psychological development screening
• Detailed discussion about the results and counseling for further options regarding schooling either for advanced placement or therapy possibilities
• If necessary, make contact or recommend further treatment by the pediatrician
• If necessary, contact the primary school, the kindergarten or other care facilities, after the consent of the parents

The education authority will use an official "procedure to determine special educational needs" to ascertain whether a child has such needs. Either the child’s parents or the school must apply for this procedure to be carried out. Depending on the type of special needs that are identified, the child may either continue to attend a general school or be transferred to a school offering special support. There are various types of special schools, which may be referred to as Förderschulen, Sonderschulen, Förderzentren or Schulen für Behinderte, according to the Federal Land.- from BAMF.de

The primary aim for the school enrollment screening is an optimal school start for the child, the personal advice of the parents and also the Bavarian health reporting [Bayerischen Gesundheitsberichterstattung].This is in turn the basis for the health policy recommendations.

Presence of parents or guardians

The presence of the parents or guardian is required. A document of attendance can be give to the employer. In case you do not speak German, you may bring someone with you to translate. If you would like an interpreter, give notice when you make your appointment. You may bring siblings to the appointment. Remember, however the school scanning for your school aged child is a small test. In peace and quiet with your undivided attention your child will perform his or her best.

What you should know

Following the appointment, you will receive confirmation of the child's participation in the school screening. This must be submitted to the school at the registration or at the latest the beginning of the school year. A second certificate of the results is intended for the parents or guardian of the child. 
For children with disabilities(for example, children with respiratory problems) there is a possibility of  special provisions, please speak to the school screening team about this. The final decision as to whether or not your child is accepted is up to the school. This screening is only an advisory.

This is my interpretation of muenchen.de advice on school screenings. I am not affiliated with muenchen.de nor the city of Munich. My German is not perfect, but this is the best of my understanding. If you have more questions, feel free to ask on Parents in Munich.

Einschulungsuntersuchung School Screening

On muenchen.de, this is explained in German. Here is part 1 of my translation.

Health screening for school enrollment 

Every year more than 13,000 children screened

Since 2008 the health screening for school enrollment has been mandatory for all children [beginning school]. In this way, all children are reached, even those who do not have normally visit the pediatrician or family doctor.

The health screening for school enrollment is an important contribution to prevention and health care for children in Bavaria. Every year about 13,000 children who are to start school the next year participate. The appointment dates are are given each year starting in autumn- the appointments are given by telephone only and are given out according to birthday dates. All "early" children will be will screened in the following spring after enrollment.

In the 2017/2018 school year, all children who are born before September 30, 2011 are required to attend school. Children who are born after September 30, 2011 can enroll their children early on request. For these children, counseling for the parents is important with regards to the child's physical, mental, speech and emotional development. The same is true for the children who enroll one year later.

The health examination for school enrollment (school year 2017/2018) applies to the following girls and boys:

• Compulsory school children[Schulpflichtige]:  all children who are 6 years old before September 30, 2017, i.e. children who are born on or before September 30, 2011 and not yet in school and live within Munich city limits.
• Early children[vorzeitige Kinder, I have previously heard the term "kann Kind"]: all children who turn 6 after September 30, 2017 who at the request of the parents are to be enrolled.
• Delayed children: all children who are 6 years old before September 30, 2017 but who are delayed from starting school
• all children who are in advanced or private schools who should enroll in school

Most important in short

Items parents need to bring: 

• Yellow check up booklet
• Vaccine booklet
• The invitation with the questionnaire on the back filled in
• Any special medical papers or medical aids (for example glasses or hearing aids)
• Contact information of the kindergarten or special childcare, doctors or therapists (voluntary information) etc.

The presence of a parent (or educational worker) is required. A confirmation can be given to the employer as proof the parent was there. 

If the parents do not speak German, they should bring someone to translate.

School screening flyer in English from muenchen.de

School screening flyer in English from muenchen.de

This is a required exam for all children who will start school in the coming school year.

• The purpose of this exam is to assess the health and development of the child as well as provide advice to the parents in regard to health and developmental delays, but also advanced or therapeutic measures.
• With consent of the parents, consultation for schools with special needs of the child 
• Yearly statistical assessment and health reporting and health policy recommendations of the health and previous check ups (checkups and vaccines) for all school children in Bavaria this year

Tips

• An exam is only possible after an appointment has been made over the phone (overview of appointments but birthdays/Terminübersicht )
• A confirmation of participation of the school screening is given after the appointment 
• The service is only available to children who live in Landeshauptstadt München (München - Stadt/Munich city proper)

Legal Basis

Art. 14 Health and Consumer Protection Act (GDVG), School Health Ordinance (Schulgesundheitspflegeverordnung, SchulgespfV), Art. 80 Bavarian Law on Education and Training (BayEUG)Rechtliche Grundlagen

This is my interpretation of what muenchen.de said. I have no affiliation with muenchen.de or the city of Munich. The original work is not mine. My translations are to the best of my knowledge. I am not perfect at German, just trying to help out parents who need to enroll their children.

Swimming pools connected to public transportation

Someone recently posted this important link to the Parents in Munich. It is the public transportation network with swimming spots! Which spot will you visit?

 Link: Public transport swimming spots

Found on Giphy