A Brief History of TIMS

Taunus International Montessori School was founded in November 1973 by a Catholic priest, Father Joseph Beck, who wanted to open an international Montessori school in English in Oberursel.

The Founding of TIMS

Over time, the school separated from its ties to the Catholic Church, as Father Beck had returned to the USA. TIMS has always been a truly international school, with often more than 20 nationalities represented in a single school year.

The Early Years at Altkönigstraße 1

The school continued to thrive in its small home at Altkönigstraße 1 in Oberursel. At times, children aged 3 to 12 were cared for there! With the continued growth of FIS and its increasing importance, TIMS reduced its age range to children aged 3 to 7.

Growth and the Search for a New Home

In 1985, TIMS had 36 children aged 3 to 7 and DM 70,000 in the bank. The waiting list was very long, and interested families could not be admitted. The school therefore began searching for a larger building so that the desired expansion could become possible. This search was long and arduous. From 1985 to 2014, the principal viewed more than 20 properties in the search for a new home for TIMS. In the summer of 1996, the school moved to Altkönigstraße 110.

A Beautiful New Villa

TIMS had 3 classrooms and over 50 children. Things were moving forward — TIMS was housed in a beautiful old villa with a large and lovely garden. Nevertheless, TIMS's reputation continued to grow, and parents' desire to enroll their children at TIMS increased. TIMS wanted to buy the building and add an extension to expand capacity; this would also have been possible, but the plans were thwarted when the owners decided to sell to other bidders.

With the help of many parents, TIMS finally found the building here at Zimmersmühlenweg. TIMS had found a new home and cared for 74 children aged 3 to 6. The school flourished, had doubled in size since 1985, and had increased its financial reserves eightfold.

Adapting Through the 2008 Financial Crisis

Then came 2008, and with it major problems for the Frankfurt banking world, the international community, and thus many others as well. Times and the climate changed. The expats stayed away for a long time. Mothers began working more outside the home and needed longer care hours for their children. Schools were no longer seen only as educational institutions, but also as places of care. This, along with the enormous and rapid rise in local competition, prompted TIMS to adapt to the changing circumstances and open its first Toddler group, which was a great success. Nevertheless, the following years were difficult, and enrollment improved with the Toddlers, but not as well as hoped.

Strengthening the School

In 2011, important measures were taken to improve opening hours and afternoon care: Monday to Thursday until 4:30 p.m. and Fridays until 3:00 p.m. Salaries and holiday periods were adjusted. These measures helped increase enrollment and financial stability. Nevertheless, one of the preschool groups had to be closed in 2014 due to low enrollment.

New Leadership Under Mrs. Berning

In 2014, Mrs. Berning took over leadership and has since changed the school calendar, further extended opening hours, and reduced fees in 2015, while also organizing subsidies from the city of Oberursel. At the same time, TIMS's "operating permit" had to be renewed, a concept had to be written, and the teachers' qualifications had to be approved. With the new approval, we are now also allowed to accept children from the age of 1.

Growing Toddler Group

As interest in places for toddlers increased, the closed preschool group was replaced by a second Toddler group, which started in January 2016. Both Toddler groups have since been fully booked and currently have a waiting list. Early morning and afternoon care has also changed significantly. During much of the 2016/17 school year, almost ¾ of the children needed care between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

TIMS Today

Since 2020/21, TIMS has had 3 kindergarten groups and one Toddler group, and that is still the case today. TIMS has a 2,000-square-meter garden where we grow vegetables with the children, have some berry bushes for snacking, and plenty of space to play. Our rooms have been air-conditioned for several years, which is very pleasant in especially hot summers. The playground surface was renewed in spring 2023.