Promote early development instead of early patronizing – Debate about early language support is important

Promoting early instead of early patronizing – debate about early language support is important

The FDP Saar welcomes the debate finally initiated by Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger about sensible early childhood language support: “Every child must be able to start school with good German skills and the necessary foundations – that must be our shared goal. The answer to many problems is simple: Those who support children early create better educational and life opportunities,” explain the FDP leading team for the state election, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis and Angelika Hießerich-Peter.

For the Free Democrats, however, it is not enough to simply demand longer daycare hours. Extending time alone is not enough; it must be ensured that this daycare model is also developed in terms of content and, above all, financed. Currently, municipalities cannot manage the intended additional daycare tasks either in terms of personnel or finances. At this point, the state government must not leave the municipalities alone – currently, it still owes answers regarding financing.

For the FDP the principle is: Early childhood education yes – state control no. The upbringing of children remains the responsibility of the parents. Therefore, the FDP relies on a voluntary, high-quality preschool offering with compulsory language support. The primary goal is teaching-ready German as an educational objective.
Ideally, daycare centers should work in close cooperation with pediatricians as well as occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Local care must be a given. Despite all the support, daycare must leave room for family, play, and individual development.

The necessary financing for this must, from the FDP Saar’s perspective, be part of a comprehensive state modernization. Billions for ever new administrative structures must not prevent money from being invested in the education and upbringing of all children. The Free Democrats want to dismantle duplicate structures between the state and municipalities, consistently digitize administrative processes, and invest the resources freed up into early childhood education.

Schools and daycare centers must, as in other countries, become places where children enjoy spending time. For this, the structural conditions must be right, from the state of the rooms through to air conditioning, and also the atmosphere must be physically and mentally appropriate.

The FDP leading team emphasizes: “We share the Prime Minister’s goal. But good education is not created through more state compulsion, but through better offers, strong parents, and a state that finally sets its priorities correctly.”