The following section presents Andrea Purcell, the chairwoman and founder of First Steps e.V., as she shares her mission and vision for the organization:
“I founded First Steps in 2004. My professional background is in social work and early childhood education, which I primarily acquired in the United Kingdom, where I was born to German parents and raised in a bilingual household.
After moving to Heidelberg with my young family in 1999, I became involved in the local community, familiarizing myself with the school system and German culture. This experience ignited my interest and passion for preschool education.
The establishment of an affordable, diverse, multicultural, and bilingual daycare and kindergarten was driven by the vision to create a nurturing environment where children from all backgrounds could thrive. In today’s globalized world, understanding and appreciating cultural diversity are as fundamental as literacy. This institution was founded on the belief that early childhood education should reflect the world we all live in.
Our goal was to create a space where young people could grow and develop in an environment that mirrors the diversity of human experiences and languages. By immersing children in a bilingual curriculum, we not only foster and develop language skills but also enhance cognitive growth and cultural empathy. Early exposure to two primary languages opens doors to new ways of thinking and understanding, laying the foundation for lifelong curiosity and learning.
Furthermore, our daycare centers are more than just educational institutions; they are vibrant hubs where families come together to form a community connected by shared values and hopes for their children’s futures. Here, children learn invaluable lessons in respect, cooperation, and kindness, interacting daily with other children who may look, speak, and live differently from them.
This daycare initiative is grounded in a commitment to equality and inclusion, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to high-quality education in an environment that values diversity and fosters mutual understanding. Our daycare centers aim not only to prepare children for the academic challenges ahead but also to provide them with the moral compass needed to navigate a multicultural world. It is my hope that these young individuals will carry forward the lessons of tolerance and friendship they have learned during these formative years.”