CAF: Research and Development Centre
University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Education, Department of Primary Education, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow G13 1PP, UK
www.strath.ac.uk/centres/caf and www.decet.org

DECET Network

Since: 2004

Region: Europe

Objective: The overall aim of DECET is to build a dynamic European network around issues of equity and respect for diversity in relation to early childhood education and training. DECET is a network of networks for peer support, knowledge exchange and materials development.

In this new phase DECET will be co-ordinated by the Dutch partner MUTANT. The network structure will be further developed, and special attention will go to understanding the networking dynamics among partner organisations and improving the internal and external communication strategies and processes. Currently the network is composed of partner organisations from Belgium, France, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

A geographic expansion of the network is foreseen, and to prepare for this special meetings will be organised together with the Bernard van Leer Foundation in a selected number of European countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Italy. Small working groups will develop the concrete activities. The first working group’s activities will revolve around improving and disseminating methods and approaches used in working with children, parents and professionals on respect for diversity. The two topics selected are: ‘Identity, belonging and intercultural communication’ and ‘artistic expression’.

The purpose of the second working group is to build a consistent European train-the-trainers curriculum in respect for diversity, starting from the diverse training experiences in various countries. The third working group will look at current research in the field of quality childcare and respect for diversity and its relevance for creating a set of quality criteria for practice. Strategies will be devised and implemented to impact mainstream childcare services and influence current childcare policies in the various European countries.

Ouders en diversiteit

Since: 2001

Region: Netherlands

Objective: To improve the pedagogical quality of childcare services by reinforcing the relationship between professional workers and the parents in a positive way. The starting point in doing so is taking full account of the diversity which exists among parents, professionals and children. Specifically:

(a) to give concrete form to the theoretical framework Samen beleven, samen doen, samen denken en samen beslissen (experiencing together, acting together, reflecting together and deciding together); and

(b) to devise instruments and training for practitioners and mangers of childcare services to improve the pedagogical quality on the basis of respect for diversity and parent involvement.

A supplementary Grant will enable the project to develop a Dutch-language handbook 'Partnerschap tussen ouders en beroepskrachten'. This handbook will be based on project experience and on the evaluation research carried out in the framework of Onderzoek Ouders en Diversiteit.

Jonge Kinderen en Democratie

Since: 2006

Region: Utrecht, The Netherlands

Objective: To develop a programme young children and democracy for the early years: pre-school provision and the first two years of basic school. This programme will be developed together with children, parents and professionals and focus on the improvement of the competencies of all involved. It will be appropriate for the Dutch context and closely follow official policies and curriculum guidelines promoting active citizenship and social integration.

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Associated books, manuals and DVDs

Families in beeld (Families in the picture) is a great resource for practitioners, trainers and all other professionals working in the early years to introduce specific ways of bringing the family (the home environment and the family background) into the childcare and education provision, thereby giving special attention to the diversities. It is about the stimulation of a positive self-image of young children and laying the foundation for a respectful attitude towards the other. The visual material presented in the DVD is very rich and a powerful illustration of good practice being developed in a variety of locations.

Partnerschap tussen ouders en beroepskrachten (Partnership between Parents and Professionals) offers knowledge, practice and insights in theoretical foundations of the pedagogical partnership between parents and early years professionals. A partnership which revolves around respect for diversity and in which the young child is the centre. It offers building blocks for childcare organisations to develop a position and a vision in building partnerships with parents. The book offers suggestions for policy and management and gives guidelines for good practice. Central in this publication are two ideas: building partnerships and handling diversities. Equality, equity, respect, recognising power relationships and learning from conflicts are considered key concepts.

Van botsingen kun je leren: Een methodiek om contacten tussen ouders en beroepskrachten in de kinderopvang te versterken (Learning from conflicts: A methodology to improve interactions between parents and professionals in the childcare sector) is based on the work on intercultural communication of Margalit Cohen-Emerique. Her theory and practice are based on the concept of les chocs culturels (cultural shocks) or les incidents critiques (critical incidents) by adopting an attitude of putting oneself into question. Solutions are found by negotiation and cultural mediation.