Since August 2024, the city of Idar-Oberstein has been offering a special service for families with young children who have not yet received a place in a daycare center: The Sprachtreff. Every Tuesday and occasionally on Thursdays, parents meet with their children aged 0 to 6 years in the town library at Hauptstraße 373a - a place where language can be discovered through play and social contacts can be made.
The free parent-child service is aimed specifically at families in transitional situations: Many children are still waiting for a childcare place, while at the same time families are faced with the challenge of finding their way around the German system. This is exactly where the Sprachtreff comes in - with songs, games, exercise and conversations at eye level.
The aim of the program is to give children a good start at daycare and offer their parents support. The meeting is supported by dedicated volunteers and occasionally by the daycare center social work team, who are on hand to answer questions about the daycare center, parenting or everyday family life.
The number of participants shows: The Sprachtreff is well received. Families came regularly between January and July 2025. The service is particularly valuable for families in difficult life situations, who gain access to advice, information and contacts through this low-threshold format.
Reflections from all those involved - volunteers, social workers and administration - reveal a positive impression: the children's language skills and their self-confidence have improved noticeably, parents also feel more confident in using the German language and there is room for exchange and community. The Sprachtreff promotes inclusion and equal opportunities.
The Sprachtreff takes a summer break in July. From August it will take place again every Tuesday (except August 19, 25) - with new times: 10:00 am to 11:30 am.
- Further information and current dates can be found on the homepage of the city of Idar-Oberstein, as well as on its social media channels. The contact person is Sophie Oberländer, the youth welfare planner for the city of Idar-Oberstein.