Early childhood care : working conditions, training and quality of services – a systematic review

Recent EU policy documents highlight the importance of improving working conditions and enhancing the professional development of the workforce in the early childhood education and care field – both in ensuring equitable access to services and in boosting the quality of provision. This report reviews research evidence from all 28 EU Member States to identify how the training and development of ECEC workers can be tailored to improve the quality of the services available for children below primary-school age in EU Member States. Among other findings, it concludes that interventions in professional development that are integrated into existing practice – with a focus on reflection – can result in more effective practice and curricula.