Kindergarten advocates in Germany faced the same intellectual dilemmas and obstacles that confronted the German liberal movement. Although based on an ideology created by men, the kindergarten movement demonstrated women's active and resourceful struggle for autonomy within the limits imposed upon them by culture and society. (AM)

Seeks to explain why the kindergarten movement, in theory and in practice, found greater support in the United States than in Germany, the country of its origin. Concludes that this kindergarten case study shows the importance of comparative studies to our understanding of the relationship of women's status and feminist ideology to other aspects…

Contends that appropriate day care for infants and toddlers is still an unresolved issue. Examines international research and identifies preconditions for transferring good practices to Germany. Argues for child care that allows more individual attention to the child. (CFR)