The author provides evidence that the foundations for a lifelong learning are already outlined within the upbringing period in a family and in the kindergarten. Research about the way of living within a family of students of grammar schools and students of vocational schools has shown considerable differences between them. This facts leads the author to a conclusion that knowing the family lives, habits and values, one can quite accurately foretell the development and education of a child. The thesis is furthermore supported by a research providing data on where children learnt about democracy. The author establishes that kindergartens are one of the most democratic institutions. For this reason, we must be aware that the foundations for a lifelong learn- ing are already set in the kindergarten and within a family.Avtorica v prispevku dokazuje, da se osnove za vseživljenjsko izobraževanje oblikujejo že v družinski vzgoji in vrtcu. Rezultati raziskave o načinu življenja v družinah dijakov gimnazij in družinah dijakov poklicne šole so pokazali velike razlike pri enih in drugih. To dejstvo avtorico napeljuje k sklepu, da lahko s poznavanjem družinskih razmer, navad in vrednot dokaj zanesljivo napovemo otrokovo napredovanje in izobraževanje. Svojo tezo podpre tudi z raziskavo o tem, kje so se lahko ljudje učili demokracije. Ugotavlja, da je vrtec najbolj demokratična in odprta ustanova. In zato, pravi avtorica, se moramo zavedati, da se temelji vseživljenjskemu izobraževanju postavljajo že v vrtcu in družini
