Pioneering Cross-Border Childcare in the Saar-Moselle Region: Kita Salut Initiative
A Pioneering Cross-Border Childcare Facility
Kita Salut - a groundbreaking venture in the SaarMoselle region - was unveiled at a press conference on September 1, 2023. This is the first cross-border, bilingual, and bicultural childcare facility, bridging the gap between France and Germany in a successful demonstration of regional integration.
Leading dignitaries like Uwe CONRADT, Mayor of Saarbrücken, and Roland ROTH, President of Communauté d'Agglomération Sarreguemines Confluences (CASC), introduced this innovative project, scheduled to commence operations on September 6.
Nurturing a harmonious blend of French and German cultures, Kita Salut accommodates 133 children aged 0 to 6, allocated 22 special nursery places for Saarland children and 11 for Saargemünd children.
"Six years of cross-border planning and nearly two years of construction culminated in bringing our vision to life," declared Dr. Sabine DENGEL, Saarbrücken's Deputy Mayor. With the facility just a 20-minute journey away from Saargemünd, it will be staffed by approximately 20 dedicated pedagogical specialists, leveraging educational experiences from both nations.
Uniquely, Kita Salut incorporates the "Tandem Place" system, permitting multiple children to share a single nursery spot on different days - an adaptation inspired by the French system that contrasts with Saarland's traditional "one place, one child" model.
"Kita Salut transcends its role as a childcare facility and serves as a hub for cultural and linguistic integration," underscored Jean-Claude KRATZ, Vice-President of CASC. This facility holds the promise of enhancing the dynamic cross-border region for at least two decades.
The total cost of this remarkable project is approximately 10 million euros. CASC contributes 650,000 euros, while the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE) extends its support towards the project with almost 2.3 million euros. The remaining costs are shared among the state capital Saarbrücken, the Saarland Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Regional Association Saarbrücken.
A Bridge of Culture and Education
Kita Salut - more than just a childcare facility - embodies collaboration, cultural integration, and educational excellence. The facility is currently in the running for the European label of excellence, showcasing its commitment to delivering high-quality early childhood learning experiences. This innovative project serves as a blueprint for future cross-border initiatives, inspiring future generations to foster a world built on understanding and unity.
Kita Salut, beyond being a childcare facility, is a testament to collaboration, cultural integration, and educational excellence. As it nurtures a harmonious blend of French and German cultures, it also strives for high-quality early childhood learning experiences, aiming to earn the European label of excellence. This groundbreaking initiative serves as a model for future cross-border projects, encouraging generations to build a world based on understanding and unity through education and self-development.
