Attend a school enrolment examination
All children starting school in Baden-Württemberg must take part in the school enrolment examination.
It is divided into two examination steps.
Step 1 is usually carried out for all children in the penultimate year before they start school. This allows children to receive early support or targeted treatment if necessary.
Step 2 takes place in the year before starting school. The focus here is on identifying any health restrictions.
Note:
All children who do not attend a day care centre are examined by a school doctor in step 2. For children who attend a day-care centre, the school doctor decides whether a medical examination is necessary in step 2. In addition, the responsible school or nursery school teachers can also request or suggest an examination by the school doctor.
Forms/Online Services
Responsible authority
the lower health authority in whose city or district your child lives
The lower health authority is
- in the rural districts: the district administration, health department
- in the city districts of Stuttgart, Mannheim and Heilbronn: the city administration, health department
Note: If your child attends a day care centre outside your district, the school enrolment examination will take place there. After the examinations have been completed, the documents will be handed over to the responsible health authority in the district office of your place of residence at their request.
Details
Prerequisite
for step 1 of the school enrolment examination:
- You and your child have your primary residence in Baden-Württemberg.
- Your child is four years old by 30 June of the current calendar year.
for step 2 of the school enrolment examination:
- You and your child have your primary residence in Baden-Württemberg.
- Your child will be required to attend school at the beginning of the following school year or has already been enrolled in primary school.
Procedure
You will receive an invitation for step 1 24 to 13 months before the date of the regularly scheduled school enrolment, either by post or via the day-care centre.
Please note: You will also receive a questionnaire together with the invitation. Completion of the questionnaire is voluntary. It is used to take a medical history and to adapt the examination to the child's individual characteristics. It also makes it easier to advise parents and interpret the results of the examination.
Please note: If you have not received an invitation letter, you must contact the public health department in your place of residence in person.
The examination is usually carried out by a medical assistant from the child and youth health service, usually on the premises of the nursery school. You are invited to take part in the examination. If a subsequent medical examination is necessary in the event of any abnormalities, you must attend.
Please note: At the basic examination, you must present your immunisation record and a certificate of participation in the early detection examinations. For children in a day care centre, the developmental observation by the nursery teacher is also part of the examination with your consent.
If necessary, the Child and Youth Health Service will recommend targeted support for your child or an appointment with your family doctor or paediatrician.
Step 2 usually takes place in the year before your child starts school. If a medical examination is necessary, this will be tailored to the child's individual situation. It usually takes place at the public health department.
Deadlines
- Step 1: usually 24 to 13 months before the date of regular school enrolment
- Step 2: in the year before the scheduled school enrolment date
Required documents
- Invitation to the school enrolment examination
- Declaration of consent
- Participation card/examination booklet for children (yellow U-booklet)
- Immunisation card (vaccination booklet)
- (completed parental questionnaire - voluntary)
- (if available: important medical reports - voluntary)
Costs
none
Legal basis
Schulgesetz für Baden-Württemberg (SchG):
- § 91 Schulgesundheitspflege
Gesetz über den öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienst (ÖGDG):
- § 8 Schulgesundheitspflege
Infektionsschutzgesetz (IfSG):
- § 34 Gesundheitliche Anforderungen, Mitwirkungspflichten, Aufgaben des Gesundheitsamtes
Verordnung des Sozialministeriums zur Durchführung zur Durchführung schulärztlicher Untersuchungen sowie zielgruppenspezifischer Untersuchungen und Maßnahmen in Kindertageseinrichtungen und Schulen (Schuluntersuchungsverordnung)
Verwaltungsvorschrift des Sozialministeriums zur Durchführung der Einschulungsuntersuchung und der Jugendzahnpflege (VWV ESU und Jugendzahnpflege)
Verwaltungsvorschrift des Kultusministeriums zur Durchführung einer Sprachstandsdiagnose in Verknüpfung mit der Einschulungsuntersuchung
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Kultusministerium und Sozialministerium Baden-Württemberg, 05.06.2025