2002–2003

A strong command of the German language when children start school is a key qualification for a successful entry into the German education system. Language acquisition ideally takes place in day care or nursery school. From December 2002 until November 2003 we carried out a project in which we encouraged Kurdish and other immigrant parents to place their children in day care for one year. By the time they enter school these children should have learned German in order to give them the same starting point as children whose first language is German.

We made contact with interested parents by way of Kurdish doctors and Kurdish and Turkish associations. We then explained the many advantages of sending their children to day care and took their individual fears and questions seriously. Parents had the opportunity to become acquainted with the day cares in their neighborhoods. The project was organized together with the association Otur ve Yaşa—Wohnen und Leben.