Improving the quality of early Improving the quality of early childhood education and care childhood education and care

for all children for all children Nora MilotayNora Milotaypolicy officerpolicy officer

School education, « Comenius »School education, « Comenius »DG Education and CultureDG Education and Culture

European CommissionEuropean Commission

Policy framework: smart, sustainable Policy framework: smart, sustainable and inclusive growthand inclusive growth

Headline targets in the EU 2020 strategyHeadline targets in the EU 2020 strategy– The share of early school leavers should be The share of early school leavers should be

under 10%under 10%– 20 million less people should be at risk of 20 million less people should be at risk of

povertypoverty– At least 40% of the younger generation should At least 40% of the younger generation should

have a tertiary degreehave a tertiary degree

Youth on the move Youth on the move

Identification & analysisIdentification & analysis Monitoring of situationMonitoring of situation Coordination of policiesCoordination of policies

Policy FrameworkPolicy Framework

Pre-emptivePre-emptive PreventivePreventive Compensatory Compensatory

Early Early childhood childhood

education and education and carecare

Student Student focused focused

measuresmeasures

Second chance Second chance opportunitiesopportunities

Recognition of Recognition of prior learningprior learning

Comprehensive Comprehensive supportsupport

Measures at Measures at school levelschool level

Measures at Measures at system levelsystem level

Equitable accessEquitable access

The Barcelona targets (2002)The Barcelona targets (2002)encouraging Member encouraging Member States to supply full-day places by 2010 to formal States to supply full-day places by 2010 to formal childcare arrangements to childcare arrangements to – at least 90% of children aged three to the compulsory at least 90% of children aged three to the compulsory

school age and school age and – to at least 33% of children under three years of age. to at least 33% of children under three years of age.

European benchmark European benchmark – by 2020 at least 95% of children between years of 4 by 2020 at least 95% of children between years of 4

year old and the age of starting compulsory primary year old and the age of starting compulsory primary education should participate in ECEC education should participate in ECEC

Quality on the agenda since 2006Quality on the agenda since 2006

Efficiency and equity in European education Efficiency and equity in European education and training systems (2006)and training systems (2006)

Improving competences for the 21st century: Improving competences for the 21st century: An agenda for European cooperation on An agenda for European cooperation on schools (2008)schools (2008)

An updated strategic framework for An updated strategic framework for European cooperation in education and European cooperation in education and training (2008)training (2008)

Focus on quality improvementFocus on quality improvement

Quantity without quality is of little merit Quantity without quality is of little merit What does quality mean? What does quality mean? Possible areas for European cooperation Possible areas for European cooperation

might be: might be: – Accessibility/affordability Accessibility/affordability – Quality Quality

CurriculumCurriculum Staff Staff Governance – integration of care and education Governance – integration of care and education

ForthcomingForthcoming

Presidency Conference Presidency Conference Ensuring early acquisition of literacy: study Ensuring early acquisition of literacy: study

on parental supporton parental support Study on competence requirements of staff Study on competence requirements of staff

in early childhood education and care in early childhood education and care

ToolsTools

1.1. ReflectionsReflections

eg Communications on University reform, Efficiency/Equity, Adult eg Communications on University reform, Efficiency/Equity, Adult Education, SchoolsEducation, Schools

2.2. Exchanges of good practiceExchanges of good practice

Expert / practitioner networks; Peer Learning Activities; ConferencesExpert / practitioner networks; Peer Learning Activities; Conferences

3.3. Data and studies Data and studies

eg Eurydice, Cedefop, Benchmarks and Indicators, cooperation with eg Eurydice, Cedefop, Benchmarks and Indicators, cooperation with other bodies eg OECD, UNICEFother bodies eg OECD, UNICEF