Issued on: 07/03/2026
Press Release 76/2026
Strengthening language education from the start: Saarland promotes the expansion of language specialist advice in daycare centers with up to 1.33 million euros
Children learn language best through daily interaction. To support them in the best possible way, the Saarland is continuing to expand language specialist consulting in daycare facilities. For this purpose, the Ministry of Education and Culture is funding FITT gGmbH, the Institute for Knowledge and Technology Transfer at htw saar, with up to 1.33 million euros in 2026.
Minister of Education Christine Streichert-Clivot:
"Language opens doors for children: to friendships, education, self-confidence, and social participation. That is why it is so important that language education is not considered an additional task in everyday daycare, but takes place right in the middle of it: during play, storytelling, questioning, singing, and discovery. With the language specialist consultation, we strengthen the professionals on site and support children exactly where language arises every day: in learning, researching, and interacting together. Our goal is for every child to find their voice and start school with confidence, curiosity, and joy. Because strong language means a strong future."
With the funding, up to 14 positions in language specialist consulting can be financed statewide.
The funding is provided under the KiTa Quality Act and supports daycare centers in further developing everyday integrated language education. Up to 95,000 euros can be allocated per position. In addition, material and overhead costs of up to 22.5 percent can be taken into account. The approval period runs until December 31, 2026. Additionally, one position is located at the Diaconal Work.
Charis Förster, Vice President of htw saar:
„Everyday-integrated language education is scientifically proven to be one of the most effective approaches to promoting language skills early and sustainably. Language specialist advisors play a central role in this: they raise awareness for language education practices in everyday daycare life, make learning opportunities visible, and deliberately use everyday situations as learning resources. With the further development of language specialist advisory services, we are sustainably strengthening early childhood language education at the state level and thus ensuring equal educational opportunities for all children in Saarland.”
The language specialists support daycare centers throughout Saarland in the further development of their language education work. They advise teams on site, assist in developing concepts, and help to consciously utilize linguistic learning opportunities in everyday life. Everyday situations – during play, reading aloud, singing, exploring, or conversations – are thus deliberately used as learning opportunities. All children benefit from this, especially those who need additional support in language acquisition.
The Saarland has not only continued the funding after the federal program "Language Daycare Centers" ended, but has also specifically further developed it. Language specialist consulting is now an important component of early language education and supports daycare centers statewide in accompanying children in their language development in the best possible way.
With the concept "Ready to Start German – equal opportunities for all children," Saarland is consistently advancing its language education strategy. Currently, the concept is being tested in a pilot phase at 14 Start Opportunities primary schools and their cooperating daycare centers. This includes, among other things, a statewide language proficiency assessment from the age of four and targeted support offers before school enrollment. The language specialist counseling creates important prerequisites for this and strengthens the quality of language education right where the educational biography begins.
