Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is a fundamental pillar for children’s development and the creation of more equitable and inclusive societies. Scientific studies demonstrate that fair and high-quality access to early childhood services has a long-term positive impact on children’s well-being, cognitive skills, and socio-emotional development, contributing to reducing educational inequalities. Investing in this sector ensures that young children have access to a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment while also promoting active family and community engagement.
However, in many contexts, barriers persist that limit access to ECEC services, such as a lack of resources, educator training, and regional disparities. Addressing these challenges requires the development of policies based on concrete data and the experiences of those directly working in the sector.
As part of the SCIREARLY project, research was conducted across partner countries to collect data and gain deeper insights into the dynamics of early childhood education and care. The project partners carried out this research through focus groups, engaging key stakeholders in the education sector to identify challenges, best practices, and potential improvement strategies.
Through a participatory approach, CESIE organised and facilitated focus groups with teachers, educators, parents, and children. These sessions provided an opportunity to explore the firsthand experiences of those who work daily in early childhood education and care and who live in learning environments.
The focus groups were structured to encourage open and constructive dialogue, allowing participants to share opinions, challenges, and proposals for improvement. Children also played an active role in this process, expressing their views and needs through age-appropriate activities. The collected information was then analysed to identify common trends and priority areas for action.
Key research findings
The analysis of data from the discussion and consultation groups highlighted several key aspects crucial for developing effective early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies:
- Access to services: There is a clear need to improve access to early childhood education and care services, particularly for families in vulnerable situations.
- Educator training: Many participants emphasised the importance of continuous professional development for educators, focusing on inclusive approaches and innovative pedagogical methods.
- Family engagement: Strengthening collaboration between educators and parents is essential to fostering a more harmonious and consistent learning environment.
- Listening to children: Direct contributions from children underscored the importance of educational spaces that cater to their needs and encourage active participation.
- Sustainability and resources: The shortage of both financial and human resources presents a significant challenge for many educational services. The policy recommendations suggest strategies for making better use of available resources and implementing targeted funding initiatives.
We invite you to read the Policy brief: Promoting Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe, a product of this international research. It serves as a strategic tool to guide future policy decisions, fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable education system.
The work carried out by SCIREARLY has made a significant contribution to shaping recommendations for European and national education policies. Previous research on effective educational programmes at the European level has already led to the development of the Self-assessment ECEC quality instrument (SAQE), designed to provide tailored guidance for institutions aiming to strengthen children’s foundational skills. This tool is freely available online at: https://eu-submit.jotform.com/232950904692058.
By listening to and directly involving those working in the field, SCIREARLY has helped develop concrete proposals to improve the quality and effectiveness of early childhood education and care services.
For more information about SCIREARLY initiatives, contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org.
About SCIREARLY
SCIREARLY – Policies and Practices based on Scientific Research for Reducing Underachievement and Early School Leaving in Europe is a project funded by the Horizon Europe program, Call Inclusiveness in times of change, Research and Innovation Action.
Partners
- UNIVERSIDAD DE LA IGLESIA DE DEUSTO (Spain, Coordinator)
- KENTRO MERIMNAS OIKOGENEIAS KAI PAIDIOU (Greece)
- MINISTERIO DA EDUCACAO E CIENCIA (Portugal)
- DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY (Ireland)
- RED BARNET (Denmark)
- UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO (Portugal)
- UNIVERSITA TA MALTA (Malta)
- EUROPEAN PARENTS ASSOCIATION (Belgium)
- HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO (Finland)
- UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE (United Kingdom)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
For further information
Read more about SCIREARLY, follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, X (Twitter) e Instagram, and visit the web site https://scirearly.eu/.
Contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org.
