The book initially discusses the educational self-understanding of childcare facilities as institutions for education, upbringing, and care against the backdrop of changing societal challenges. It then focuses on the question of early childhood educational and didactic concepts in two respects: first, regarding the concepts provided by science, and second, concerning the methodology and didactics taught in training and practiced in everyday childcare settings. Building on this, the book outlines the fundamental principles of a previously missing educationally grounded didactics for early childhood education in childcare facilities for children from the first to the sixth year of life.