In 11 brief sections this document overviews provisions for preschool education in the Federal Republic of Germany. Topics discussed include the needs of young children; education from birth to 3 years and from 3 to 6 years of age; and the history of kindergartens. Problems of child-rearing and programs for parent education, as well as creches, child care services, foster families, kindergartens, mainstreamed kindergartens, costs to parents, and educational movements are discussed. Several models for early education thought to be worthy of consideration and emulation are described to illustrate efforts made by educators and politicians in Germany to improve preschool education and child-rearing practices. Kinderhauses and kindergarten programs designed to equip children to act independently in normal everyday situations and to think competently are among the models described. (Author/RH)