"Professional development for ECEC practitioners with responsibilities for children at risk: which competences and in-service training are needed?", European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 22:3, 412-424 (2014)

The article refers to several international researches on the competences needed from practitioners working today in ECEC settings. It suggests that the complexity of our societies today needs complex competences of professionals in order to deal with the increasing diversity. Being able to ‘stay in the uncertainty’, to have questions, to reflect become fundamental competences of ECEC practitioners today. Accompanying reflection on practice, through pedagogical coaches, becomes crucial, in order to become able to stay in our uncertainly, to dialogue, to accept disagreement, to be open, to transform practice. That is why investing in in-service training based on relational and reflective competences is important, as it is important to guarantee the conditions to be able to invest in this direction (e.g. having child free hours). The paper also suggests to invest in group reflection methods that allow practitioners to reflect on their daily practice; in pedagogical coaches that accompany team reflection; in pedagogical documentation as a democratic practice to co-construct knowledge with children, to have a partnership with parents, and to co-reflect on the planning as professionals.

Focus of the publication:

- ECEC quality;

- staff competences;

- vulnerable groups