Greens present package of measures for early childhood education

The Greens want to improve early childhood education in Saxony. To this end, they want to present a package of measures; the motion is to be submitted to the state parliament on Wednesday. "Early childhood education is the foundation on which the development of our children is built. The revision of the Saxon education plan offers us the opportunity to make decisive adjustments here," emphasized MP Christin Melcher (Greens). This is why her parliamentary group is presenting a package of measures: "We want to set the course for a good future for our youngest children."

In their motion, the Greens are calling for joint further training concepts for nursery staff and primary school teachers, greater cooperation between nursery, school and after-school care and the promotion of life skills, among other things.

"Good early childhood education needs the best framework conditions. This includes a professionally sound education plan that responds to new developments, anchors specialist practice and uses all available resources," emphasized Melcher. Her party is critical of the fact that the debate on improving children's "school readiness" is also expected to lead to an increase in schooling in daycare centers. As a result, less attention can be paid to individual needs and requirements, which in turn is central to good development, especially in the youngest years of life.

Greens against a postponement of the daycare moratorium

In the motion, the Greens also speak out against a postponement of the so-called daycare moratorium. The old state parliament had unanimously approved it at its last session. The moratorium is intended to retain nursery staff despite falling child numbers in order to increase the quality of care. The CDU-SPD coalition is now considering postponing the moratorium due to a lack of funds.

According to Melcher, disregarding the unanimous parliamentary resolution is a fatal signal to daycare centers and parents. "We have spoken out together in favor of improving the childcare situation and retaining skilled workers even when the number of children is falling," said the Green politician. "It is incomprehensible to me that quality improvements in daycare centers are being sacrificed on the altar of austerity policy, even though we could find other ways with the federal government's credit facility."