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 children What 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 children 2. Affordability – a free service 3. Pedagogical approach – holistic and multi- purpose 4. Participation – active inclusion of entire community, children and adults 5. 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 perspectives 7. Participatory, democratic and transparent evaluation – e.g. pedagogical documentation 8. Valuing the work – a 0-6 profession and parity with school teachers 9. A strong and equal partnership with school 10. Cross-national partnership – learning with other countries