Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, embodies the country’s child-centered, play-based approach to early childhood education. Children typically attend daycare institutions called “vuggestue” (ages 0–3) or “børnehave” (ages 3–6) before entering formal schooling at age six ([Reference 1]).
Denmark’s Framework for Early Childhood Education (“Læreplanstemaer”) ([Reference 2]) emphasizes six areas of child development: personal development, social competencies, communication and language, body and movement, nature and science, and cultural expression.
Municipalities like Copenhagen offer substantial subsidies, making early education affordable for all families. Additionally, “Integrated Institutions” combine daycare and kindergarten under one roof, providing continuity of care and learning.
Special efforts are made to support children with diverse backgrounds and needs through inclusive education models, following the national “Act on Daycare” which promotes equality and diversity ([Reference 3]).
As a kindergarten director, I find Copenhagen’s model exemplary: prioritizing well-being, autonomy, and a lifelong love of learning through gentle, holistic early education rooted in trust and community.

References:

• [1] Ministry of Children and Education, Denmark: Overview of Early Childhood Education

• [2] Læreplanstemaer (Learning Themes Framework)

• [3] Act on Daycare, Denmark (Dagtilbudsloven)

デンマークの首都コペンハーゲンは、子ども主体・遊び中心の幼児教育アプローチを体現しています。
子どもたちは通常、0〜3歳で「ヴッゲストゥエ（vuggestue）」、3〜6歳で「ブーネハーヴェ（børnehave）」と呼ばれる保育施設に通い、6歳から正式な学校教育が始まります。
デンマークの「幼児教育カリキュラム枠組み（Læreplanstemaer）」では、個人の発達、社会的能力、言語・コミュニケーション、身体・運動、自然・科学、文化的表現の6領域が重視されています。
コペンハーゲン市をはじめ、各自治体は保育料の大幅な補助を行い、すべての家庭が幼児教育にアクセスできる体制を整えています。
また、「統合型施設（Integrated Institutions）」により、乳児期から学齢前まで一貫した保育と教育が提供されるケースも一般的です。
特別な支援が必要な子どもたちや、多様な背景を持つ家庭へのインクルーシブ支援も、「デイケア法（Dagtilbudsloven）」に基づき積極的に推進されています。
子どもの幸福感と自立心、そして生涯にわたる学びへの意欲を育むコペンハーゲンの教育モデルは、私たちの目指すべき方向性を示しています。

Bern, the de facto capital of Switzerland, offers a well-structured and inclusive early childhood education system. Kindergarten (“Kindergarten” in German-speaking regions) begins at age four and is mandatory for two years prior to entering primary school ([Reference 1]).
Bern follows the “Lehrplan 21” ([Reference 2]), which emphasizes balanced development in language, mathematics, social competence, creativity, and early scientific thinking, primarily through play and exploration.
Given Bern’s role as a federal city with a multilingual environment, language integration support (“DaZ” – Deutsch als Zweitsprache) is widely available for non-German-speaking children ([Reference 3]).
The city also places a strong emphasis on inclusive education: children with special educational needs are integrated into mainstream kindergartens with individualized support plans, ensuring that diversity is embraced from the earliest stages of education.
As a kindergarten director, I see Bern’s approach as a shining example of how structure, inclusiveness, and respect for every child’s unique background and pace can be harmonized, creating a truly supportive and future-oriented early learning environment.

References:

• [1] Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK): Kindergarten Policies

• [2] Lehrplan 21: Curriculum for German-Speaking Switzerland

• [3] Canton of Bern: Language Support Programs (DaZ)