Swiss playgroup association calls for binding legal standards

The Swiss Association of Playgroup Leaders is urging politicians to introduce nationwide minimum standards for playgroups, SRF reports, saying voluntary guidelines are no longer enough.

The association says many cantons lack legal requirements covering safety plans, staff-to-child ratios and employees’ educational qualifications. Playgroups can often open without having to provide proof of qualifications or meet uniform safety rules, it says.

The association says studies show that qualified early education can significantly affect children’s later school success, particularly language learning among multilingual children. It also says increasing numbers of children start kindergarten without German skills, without being toilet trained or feeling socially overwhelmed, putting greater pressure on the mainstream school system.

Alongside its call for legal standards that apply regardless of where families live, the association has launched an information campaign. Its criteria lists are intended to help parents choose suitable playgroups.