Pre-school education in the structure of European educational systems on the example of German-speaking countries
Abstract
The last decade has shown increasing trend towards integrating early childhood education into the education systems in Europe. Although the education systems are characterized by significant diversity, the growing convergence in the organization and content of preschool education in European countries can be noticed.
This study outlines and compares national specifics in the preschool education in German-speaking countries in Europe and deals especially with current developments in the organization of early childhood education and new requirements on the teacher training. The paper illustrates the similarities and differences in objectives and functions of preschool education.
Based on these characteristics, the tendency to include pre-school education in the educational systems is verified in the area of German-speaking countries in Europe.