Professionals in Early Childhood Education and Care Systems European Profiles and Perspectives

In a context of widespread expansion of education and care provision for young children, the staffing of early childhood services in Europe is a critical quality issue. However, systematically assembled data across countries on the education/training and structure of the early years workforce are limited. Who works in education and care settings for young children? What professional studies are required? How similar or how varied are the qualification profiles and fields of work? This book provides answers to these questions. With funding from the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the SEEPRO project based at the State Institute of Early Childhood Research (IFP) in Munich/Bavaria worked closely with country experts to develop the 27 country profiles. In addition, cross-national perspectives and key workforce issues are highlighted which will be of interest for those engaged in early years professional education/training as well as for researchers, practitioners and policy makers.