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
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