Young Children and their Services: developing a

European approach

A Children in Europe

Policy Paper

Children in Europe –a unique project

Began 2002 Network of national partners

Austria – Belgium – Denmark – France – Germany

Italy – Netherlands – Poland – Portugal

Romania – Spain – Sweden – UK Multi-lingual magazine, 2x a year “To contribute to the development of policy

and practice at European and national levels”

Services for young childrenWhat are they?

Services for groups of children below compulsory school age provided by formal

organisations

école maternelle, scoula dell’infanzia, kindergarten, nursery, kinderdagverblijf,

förskola, crèche collectif, kleuterschool…….

Developing a European approach – Why?

The EU shares responsibility for services Necessary for EU economic & social policies EU support for children’s rights and best interests

Children are citizens of Europe expect common entitlements and shared benefits

Added value of a European approach search for a European approach of mutual benefit

‘Barcelona targets’ – too narrow, quantity not quality

Developing a European approach – How?

Build on past work – strong foundations Council of Ministers Recommendation on

Child Care (1992) EC Childcare Network Quality Targets in

Services for Young Children (1996) EC Communication Towards an EU Strategy

on the Rights of the Child (2006) OECD Starting Strong reports (2001, 2006)

Developing a European approach – What?

Shared framework – common objectives, principles, entitlements – with space for diversity

Shared image of the child – the ‘rich child’ Shared image of the service – ‘holistic in

approach’, ‘meeting place for citizens’, ‘place of many possibilities’…beyond ‘childcare’!

Shared principles – for 2020

Developing a European approach – 10 principles

1. Access – an entitlement for all children2. Affordability – a free service3. Pedagogical approach – holistic and multi-

purpose4. Participation – active inclusion of entire

community, children and adults5. Coherence – a coherent policy framework

for a common approach and shared conditions across all services

Developing a European approach – 10 principles 6. Diversity and choice – respect and value

diversity of people, practices and perspectives7. Participatory, democratic and transparent

evaluation – e.g. pedagogical documentation8. Valuing the work – a 0-6 profession and parity

with school teachers9. A strong and equal partnership with school10. Cross-national partnership – learning with

other countries