Voluntary Public Preschool from the First Year of Life.

Early childcare from the first year of life relieves families and facilitates re-entry into working life. This strengthens labor market participation and helps counteract the shortage of skilled workers – a real competitive advantage for the economy.

Problem

• Many parents cannot or can only partially return to work because suitable childc…: Many parents cannot or can only partially return to work because suitable childcare is lacking.
• Current policy relies more on longer parental leave or additional vacation inste…: Current policy relies more on longer parental leave or additional vacation instead of expanding childcare services, which exacerbates the shortage of skilled workers.
• A longer exit from working life makes it harder for parents to keep up with the …: A longer exit from working life makes it harder for parents to keep up with the rapid developments in the labor market – their expertise loses relevance, and their economic potential remains unused.
• Women are still frequently discriminated against due to pregnancy.: Women are still frequently discriminated against due to pregnancy.
• A university education is almost entirely financed by the state, but early child…: A university education is almost entirely financed by the state, but early childhood care was not. Although the influence on school success in this early developmental phase is crucial.

Solution

• Introduction of a state-funded and organized preschool from the first year of li…: Introduction of a state-funded and organized preschool from the first year of life based on the model of today's kindergarten to ensure equal opportunities and compatibility of work and family.
• Preschool is voluntary; parents can decide for themselves whether they want to u…: Preschool is voluntary; parents can decide for themselves whether they want to use this offer.
• Integration of preschool into the existing education system with direct connecti…: Integration of preschool into the existing education system with direct connection to kindergartens to make transitions pedagogically meaningful and continuous.
• Clear and transparent state quality control of preschools analogous to the contr…: Clear and transparent state quality control of preschools analogous to the control of public kindergartens to ensure equivalent care.
• The organization is carried out like kindergarten through the cantonal education…: The organization is carried out like kindergarten through the cantonal education or upbringing departments and is coordinated via the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Education Directors (EDK).

Benefit

• Parents can better reconcile family and career, as fewer financial and professio…: Parents can better reconcile family and career, as fewer financial and professional disadvantages arise when starting a family.
• Companies benefit from qualified professionals returning faster and talents bein…: Companies benefit from qualified professionals returning faster and talents being retained in the long term.
• Companies benefit from qualified professionals returning faster and less product…: Companies benefit from qualified professionals returning faster and less productivity loss occurring.