The responsibility for the
German education system lies primarily with the
states (
Länder), while the federal government plays a minor role. Optional
Kindergarten (
nursery school) education is provided for all children between two and six years of age, after which school attendance is
compulsory. The system varies throughout Germany because each state (
Land) decides its own educational policies. Most children, however, first attend Grundschule from the age of six to ten.