Germany to Facilitate Kindergarten Children's School Start - Schleswig-Holstein Launches Phase Two of 'Development Focus Four and a Half' Program
Schleswig-Holstein is set to launch the second phase of its 'Development Focus Four and a Half' program in November 2025. This phase will involve 54 kindergartens and 38 primary schools, aiming to assess and support children's competencies before they start school.
The program, now in its fourth phase, has already completed a pilot phase. It targets children around the age of four and a half, about a year and a half before they start school. The goal is to reach all children, including those not attending kindergarten, with a compulsory assessment planned for the 2028/29 school year.
Parents will play an active role in the process. The need for support will be recorded and addressed specifically at the age of four and a half using documentation sheets. The state plans to revise school and kindergarten laws to offer better chances to all children. The program focuses on strengthening children in central skills such as social behavior, motor skills, language, mathematics, and natural sciences by the time they start school. Starting from the 2028/29 school year, the developmental level of children will be recorded comprehensively and uniformly.
The second phase of the 'Development Focus Four and a Half' program begins in November 2025, involving 54 kindergartens and 38 primary schools. It aims to assess and support children's competencies before they start school, with a focus on central skills and parental involvement. The state plans to revise laws to ensure all children have equal opportunities.
