Institutions for preschool education are the first educational institutions in children's lives. In German-speaking countries, elementary, i.e. preschool education is one of the younger areas of public education systems. A holistic, integrated education system recognises elementary education as an independent field of education. This implies the equality of elementary educational institutions with other educational institutions and recognises the attribution of an independent educational mission.

Empirical educational research clearly shows that attendance at a preschool educational institution is associated with a positive educational biography and contributes significantly to increasing equality of opportunities. This positive influence correlates with a high pedagogical quality in preschool educational institutions.

The Centre for Elementary Education therefore initiates and designs development and research projects that deal with the topic of pedagogical quality (quality of orientation, structural quality, process quality and the quality of the family relationship). In addition, the centre is responsible for the centres for early language education and support as well as for teaching, research and development in training and further education. All educational offers are developed in the sense of formal, competence-based, action-based and evidence-based professionalisation. In recognition of elementary education as the basic level of the entire education system and in accordance with a continuously conceived education system, special attention is also paid to the design of educational biographical transitions.

The Centre for Preschool Education therefore initiates and designs development and research projects that deal with the topic of pedagogical quality (quality of orientation, structural quality, process quality and the quality of the family relationship). Furthermore, the Centre is responsible for the (centres for early language education and support as well as for teaching, research and development in education, further education and training).

All educational offers are developed according to formal, competence-based, action-based and evidence-based professionalisation. In recognition of preschool education as the basic level of the entire education system (and in line with a continuously conceived education system), special attention is also paid to the design of educational biographical transitions.