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Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities through Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe

Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities through Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities. Presented at a conference Eurydice: i sistemi educativi europei al traguardo del 2010 (MIUR, Roma)

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Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities through Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe

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  1. Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities through Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Presented at a conference Eurydice: i sistemi educativi europei al traguardo del 2010 (MIUR, Roma) 2009 Sep 25 by Akvile Motiejunaite

  2. “Pre-primary education has the highest returns in terms of the social adaptation of children. Member States should invest more in pre-primary education as an effective means to establish the basis for further learning, preventing school drop-out, increasing equity of outcomes and overall skill levels”Commission Communication ‘Efficiency and Equity in European Education and Training Systems’ (September 2006)

  3. The study: definitions • Discusses publicly subsidised and accredited provision for children under compulsory school age • Defines at risk children –‘children with disadvantages stemming mainly from socio-economic, cultural and/or language factors. The need arises from disadvantages attributable to these factors’ (OECD) • Covers 30 countries of Eurydice network • Refers to year 2006/2007

  4. The study: structure • a review of scientific literature on the impact of high quality education and care on young children; • a summary of statistical data on relevant demographic characteristics of European families and the participation rates in ECEC; • a comparative analysis of policy measures based on information collected from national units of the Eurydice network.

  5. What does research tell us? ECEC benefits all children if intensive, early starting, child-focused, centre based + high qualified staff (specialised BA) + low staff/child ratios + parent involvement, family support

  6. European families with young children (under 6s) • 12 % of total households • Potential groups at-risk: • 17 % of households on the poverty threshold (PL, LT, UK, EE, IT, PT, LU > 20 %) • Single parent households 9 % • Non-national children 3 % (~ethnic minority and immigrant?) Combination

  7. What is the current situation regarding ECEC in Europe? • All countries have subsidised and accredited ECEC Limited or no for under 3s in CZ, EL, IE, NL, PL, UK, LI • Separate model: childcare vs. education • Unitary model: childcare with education Parental employment status catchments' area age universal access

  8. Model A: Unitary settings 0-1 year to 5-6 years with or without pre-primary classes Model B: Separate settings under 2-3 years over 2-3 years Mix A + B Main models of (accredited and subsidised) ECEC provision according to the age of children, 2006/07

  9. Italy: Separate settings 0 3 6 Asilo nido Scuola dell’infanzia

  10. Level and minimum duration of initial education and training for staff working with children under 2-3 years, 2006/07 Level and minimum duration of initial education and training for staff working with children over 2-3 years ( ISCED 0), 2006/07 Upper or post secondary education Tertiary education

  11. 93 % 87 % 74 % 99.8 % Participation rate of children from 3-6 years by agein pre-primary (ISCED 0) and primary (ISCED 1) education, EU-27, 2005/06 • Problematic access for: • under-3s (no Eurostat data!) • rural areas • Large variation between countries

  12. What is done for disadvantaged children? FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SETTINGS Additional resources Incentives for staff More favourable staff/child ratios TO FAMILIES Decreasing costs SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES

  13. family income and number of children criteria other than family size and income Tax advantages available for use of accredited fee-paying ECEC services in the public sector Free access in all subsidised and accredited services Means of enhancing affordability of ECEC, 2006/07 Level of fees paid for accredited public sector ECEC services adjusted according to

  14. STAFF TRAINING Level Duration Skills required PROVISION Capacity/volume Age of access Staff ratio Fees ReducingCost HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND CARE Intensive verbal interactions Cognitive stimulation Good climate Socialisation PARENTAL SUPPORT Involvement In ECEC GREATEST BENEFITS TO CHILDREN AT RISK POLICY MAKERS MAY HAVE A DIRECT INFLUENCE ON

  15. Grazie! The report is available onwww.eurydice.org

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