Early Childhood Education and Care
Structure and organization
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Poland is divided into two stages:
The objective of ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care) is the prevention, early identification and reduction of language and education deficiencies in young children. Early childhood education is aimed at children between 2,5 to 4 years of age. It is carried out through childcare centers and playgroups. The responsibility lies at the municipal level. The municipalities decide whether or not a child is eligible for ECEC.
The field of early childhood education in Luxembourg is currently undergoing profound transformations. In recent years, a quantitative expansion has gone along with efforts to adapt the supply structure to a modern understanding of childhood and families’ needs (see Honig & Haag, 2012. Education and Care for Children in Luxembourg, p. 22). In 2009, formal ECEC became a part of a comprehensive elementary school (école fondamentale).
Offers of early childhood education and care for children, generally up to six years, can roughly be characterised as childcare and Kindergarten (ISCED 0).
Supplementary Childcare
Supplementary childcare supports families in Liechtenstein. It encourages a better balance between family and working life, serves the integration and socialisation of children and promotes their development. It consists of voluntary services which parents use at their discretion.
The system of early childhood education and care
Early childhood education and care is provided in different types of institutions for the different age-groups of children aged 0-6. In Hungary, early childhood education has a split system; the first phase is “early childhood educational development” is for ages 0–2, the second phase is “pre-primary education” from 3 until school age.