Fenna Regini is running for the FDP on Norderney. Her priorities: families, childcare, and education. In this interview, she explains why she chose these specific issues, where she sees a need for action on the island — and what she wants to change concretely.

Fenna, you are making family policy your central issue. Why that in particular?

Because it is the issue that is felt every day in real life — when dropping off the children in the morning, when looking for a childcare place, when searching for affordable housing. Families are the heart of our island. When they are doing well, Norderney is doing well. Because families hold our community together: they are active in clubs, they work in local businesses, they shape life on the island far beyond the tourist season. Children should be able to grow up here safely, healthily, and with joy. For that, parents need reliable framework conditions — not lip service and not announcements that do not materialize in everyday life. For me, family policy is not a niche issue, but the foundation for Norderney to remain a vibrant place to live and work in the future and for young people to see a future here.

Let us be specific: How do you view childcare on Norderney at present?

Every child should receive the best possible care — that is the standard by which we must be measured. And I say deliberately: every child, regardless of the family or professional situation of the parents. For that, we first need enough childcare places so that no one has to wait for months or organize complicated interim solutions. Equally important are reliable opening hours that parents can truly depend on — especially on an island where many work in tourism, hospitality, or shift work and do not finish at 4 PM. Childcare hours must fit the reality of families' lives, not the other way around.

But all of this only works if we create good working conditions for our educators. They do outstanding work every day and deserve appreciation that does not end with Sunday speeches: good framework conditions, relief in everyday work, and attractive prospects so that professionals are happy to come to our island — and above all, stay. Because early childhood education is the foundation for everything that follows. What we invest here pays off for a lifetime.

And the local school — where do you see a need for action?

A modern school is more than a good building. Of course, the facilities must be in order — but what matters is what happens inside them. It is about contemporary equipment, digital capabilities that do not just exist on paper but are actually used in the classroom, and motivated teachers who have support and room to shape their work. In short: an environment in which every child can develop their talents — whether in language, science, crafts, sports, or creative fields.

For us on Norderney, there is a special consideration: our school is the island's school. Children cannot simply switch to a neighboring school. That makes it all the more important that we have an educational offering here that keeps pace with the mainland and leaves no one behind. I want to work to ensure that our school remains a place where learning is enjoyable and young people are well prepared for their future path — whether that is vocational training, university, or a career here on our island.

What does that mean for families' everyday lives concretely?

Families need a policy that listens and delivers pragmatic solutions — not in five years, but noticeably in the here and now. That begins with safe routes to school where parents can send their children off alone with a clear conscience. It continues with attractive leisure activities for children and young people, especially outside the tourist season, when the island is quieter and young people need places where they can meet and develop. And finally, good work-life balance, which on Norderney with its special working hours in tourism presents its own unique challenge.

These are the issues that truly determine everyday life. These are exactly what I want to put at the center, instead of letting them disappear behind big debates. Policy must be measured by whether it concretely improves people's lives.

Why the FDP — and why you?

Because I want to take responsibility — not over people's heads, but together with the citizens. I believe in a policy with reason, openness, and a focus on what is achievable. It is not about what sounds good to me, but about what can actually be implemented — with a realistic view of the budget, personnel, and the special conditions of our island. Promises are quickly made; I would rather honestly say what is possible and then tackle it.

As a Norderney native, I know the island, its people, and its issues. I want to make Norderney more livable — for children, parents, grandparents, and all generations. Because a family-friendly island is ultimately an island where everyone enjoys living.

What are your most important goals and why?

At the center for me is first of all strengthening and supporting families — because they are the foundation of our island community and policy must have their backs, instead of creating additional obstacles. Equally important to me is reliable and high-quality childcare, because parents need predictability and every child deserves the best possible start. Beyond that, I want to develop our school in a modern and future-ready way, because education is the most important investment in the future of our island. And finally, it is important to me to create good opportunities for every child on Norderney — because it must not depend on the parental home what opportunities a child receives.

These goals are inseparable for me. They interlock and determine whether young families see a future on Norderney — or whether they leave the island.

Your closing words to the voters?

Your vote determines how strongly families and children will be represented on Norderney in the future. I do not promise magic — but I promise to listen, to commit myself, and to persevere. Give me your vote on election day — for a strong future for our children and for an island where families enjoy living.