Initiative: “Smart Daycare Centers – Pilot Project on Digital Skills in Early Childhood Education”

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Erfolgreiches Auftakttreffen der Smart City-Veranstaltung "Smarte Kitas" in der Imaginata.

© Stadt Jena

Early childhood education professionals are enhancing their digital skills: The initiative supports the development and expansion of digital competencies among educators in daycare centers and the establishment of a sustainable network of media experts. The pilot project consists of three parts. First, a curriculum for digital competencies among early childhood educators in daycare centers will be developed. Second, professional development training based on the digital competencies curriculum will be conducted. Every daycare center in Jena has the opportunity to train two educators to serve as multipliers.Third, to ensure the expertise gained is sustainably embedded, a new network structure for digital skills and media education in early childhood education is being established to facilitate the practical exchange of experiences. 

Current Status

• Start: November 15, 2023
• End: August 31, 2027
• Status: in planning

Milestones Achieved

• Completion of the training brochure and plan, consisting of the following components:
  • Training of media coaches in Jena daycare centers
  • Basic training in digital skills
  • Establishment of a network of media experts
  • “Media Kit” for lending digital equipment to daycare centers
• Completion of an informational flyer (PDF)
• Kickoff event for the “Smart Daycare Centers” initiative on September 3, 2025
• Start of the media coach training series in November 2025
• Establishment of the “Media Box” for lending digital equipment