● New Analytical Report on Quality Frameworks in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is out!
06 Nov 2024

New Analytical Report on Quality Frameworks in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is out!

The latest NESET report Quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC): State of play in the EU Member States based on the European Quality Framework, is authored by Hester Hulpia (Main researcher and Coordinator), with an expert research team led by Lisandre Bergeron-Morin, Nima Sharmahd, Laura De Pré, Jekatyerina Dunajeva and Stéphanie Crêteur in collaboration with Michel vandenbroek, Jochen Devlieghere and Christian Morabito.  

In recognition of the importance of quality ECEC at both the EU level and in many EU Member States, this report offers an integrative overview of the state of play and reforms across five quality areas of ECEC in different EU Member States, based on the European Quality Framework (EQF). This comprehensive framework, developed in 2019, defines high-quality ECEC through five structural areas: accessibility, staff, curricula, monitoring and evaluation, and governance and funding. The report addresses these areas, with a particular focus on accessibility and workforce.

Grounded in secondary data analysis and complemented with online interviews with key experts in the field, the report highlights several findings in each area. Overall, the analysis underlines that although several EU Member States have implemented policy reforms to improve and recognise the value of ECEC, the sector remains vulnerable. Acknowledging both the progress made and the challenges that persist, the report offers recommendations for policymakers. 

We invite NESET members and education practitioners to read the full report and executive summary (also available in French and German).