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Quality at the Local Level in Germany (DKJS)

Few would disagree: From the very start, children should have the best possible opportunities – no matter where they are living or what their parents’ occupation. It is in early childhood that the groundwork is laid for children’s education and integration into society so that they can become productive and socially responsible members of society.

The German Children and Youth Foundation (DKJS), the German Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSF) and the Jacobs Foundation are launching the Quality at the Local Level program in an effort to improve the quality of Germany’s early childhood education and care sector. Through offers designed to meet existing needs, Quality at the Local Level supports the efforts of communities and daycare centers to boost quality. It also organizes “dialogues on early childhood education” to assess quality requirements and find ways to implement them. In a subsequent step, it supports community-level early childhood education and care (ECEC) networks by conducting analyses and offering advice.

In addition, the Jacobs Foundation is helping selected communities formulate integrated ECEC strategies and encourages them to interact and communicate with Swiss cities and communities.