The Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools (DESK 3-6) as the basis for developmental promotion in preschools in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

The pilot project KiK (Kinder in Kitas, Children in Preschools) aims to support preschools in the early detection of developmental delays and to initiate individual intervention strategies. KiK was performed as a randomized, controlled prospective study in 12 preschools in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania (MWP). The Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools (Dortmunder Entwicklungsscreening fur den Kindergarten DESK 3-6) was used to detect early developmental delays. Of the 71 preschool teachers, 97% rated the DESK to be a useful instrument to detect developmental delays. More than 90% of the interviewed preschool teachers rated the training positively. Preschool teachers reported that the KiK training had significantly improved their own skills to detect developmental delays in the area of fine and gross motor skills. The DESK and the training offered in preschools in MWP were widely accepted. The majority of preschool teachers judged the DESK as being suitable to detect developmental delays. The transferability of the training into daily routine of preschools in MWP was also rated positively.