THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY: RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY FOR UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the development of preschool education in the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of Ukraine's integration into the European educational space. The author draws attention to the role of preschool education as a fundamental component of the educational system, which ensures social adaptation, the formation of the child's competencies and values. The relevance of borrowing the positive experience of Germany for improving the preschool education system of Ukraine is highlighted. The article examines key regulatory and legal acts of Germany that shape the foundations of preschool education and the organization of early childhood development: «On the quality of kindergartens» (KiTa-Qualitätsgesetz 2023) and «Agreement between the states on the common basic structure of the school system and the state-wide responsibility of the states in central issues of educational policy» (2020). Their impact on ensuring the accessibility and quality of educational services, supporting inclusion, professional training, and continuous development of educators is outlined. Special attention is paid to the achievements of German preschool education in organizing language training, addressing regional disparities in access to educational institutions, reducing ethnic educational inequality, and introducing innovative approaches to education, including individualized approaches to each child and digitalization of preschool education. The article stresses the importance of utilizing German experience to reform Ukraine’s regulatory framework, enhance educational process management, expand accessibility for children with special needs, and improve education quality through innovations. It concludes that Germany's experience can serve as a basis for improving preschool education in Ukraine, particularly in the context of its integration into the European educational space.