Helping 4,900 educators foster inclusion across 250+ centers, in real-time

The challenge: building meaningful connections in unplanned moments

For Fröbel Kindergarten, a leading non-profit provider of childcare in Germany with over 4,900 educators, communication is the foundation of educational work. In Berlin, where they manage a network of 39 facilities, the community is deeply international, featuring children from backgrounds as diverse as Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.

The most critical challenge often arises during what Fröbel calls “door-and-hinge” (Tür-und-Angel) conversations—those vital, unplanned exchanges between parents and educators at drop-off and pick-up. As the Fröbel team explains,

“In kindergarten, you always end up having conversations that are critical to communicating with families, but can’t be planned in advance.”

For children, the stakes are even higher. When they’re unable to express basic needs—like thirst, discomfort, or frustration—in a new language, it can lead to immediate emotional distress.

The solution: empowering voices in real-time

Fröbel Kindergarten turned to DeepL Voice as the “invisible bridge” in everyday kindergarten life. After a successful pilot across 17 facilities—supported by extensive feedback—the solution was rolled out across Fröbel’s entire network of more than 250 institutions.

Instant understanding, on the move

The kindergarten deploys DeepL Voice on smartphones and tablets, allowing educators to maintain their natural workflow without being tethered to a desk– something any teacher knows is rarely an option. Teachers speak German, and the app instantly translates their words into the native language of the child or parent. As the leader of a Fröbel Kindergarten in Essen explains:

"The easy-to-use translation tool removes the language barriers we face every day. Communicating with non-German-speaking children is especially important to me, because at the beginning they had no one who could understand them.”

A human-forward approach to AI

Fröbel has been very intentional with their implementation. The technology is designed to support, not replace, the educator. Some teams choose to turn off the voice output and increase the font size on "parent tablets" so they can read along together, ensuring no "third voice" interrupts the natural flow. An educator in Cologne highlighted the value of this neutral interface, noting that a "neutral and situation-independent translator" can often be more effective in parent meetings than a human interpreter, who may find it difficult to remain completely unbiased.

The results: fostering a sense of belonging

The implementation of DeepL Voice has transformed how Fröbel Kindergarten supports its international community, turning potential frustration into opportunities for connection.

Immediate support for children

Educators can now understand a child's most basic needs instantly.

"Expressing simple needs, such as being thirsty or having to go to the toilet, is very difficult for these children and can quickly become frustrating. For that alone, I consider the app a win,"

shared a Fröbel facility leader.

Empowered parents

By removing the language barrier, families feel more included and confident. A leader from Fröbel-Kindergarten Marie Curie observed:

"It makes the conversations easier for both sides, so parents have also had the courage to speak to us more."

Security for all 

As a non-profit, Fröbel prioritized a GDPR-compliant solution to protect sensitive personal data. This allowed them to provide a professional alternative to unofficial apps that do not meet strict data privacy standards.

A future of inclusive education

The successful rollout of DeepL Voice across Fröbel Kindergarten's network marks a turning point in how Language AI can support human-centric industries. By moving from a successful 17-facility pilot to a nationwide implementation, Fröbel has proven that technology, when applied with empathy, does not replace the educator but rather amplifies their ability to connect.

Looking ahead, Fröbel aims to carry on leveraging these digital tools to further integrate international specialists into their teams; ensuring that for every child, regardless of their native tongue, the kindergarten remains a place where they are heard, understood, and empowered to grow.