With a growing interest from policy and research in the professionalisation of the early childhood workforce, recognising the importance of highly qualified staff at all levels needs a systemic approach to professionalization. The authors of this wide-ranging book suggest that professionalism in early childhood unfolds best in a 'competent system'. Addressing these issues by sharing insights of professionalism from many European countries, this book contributes to broadening views on what professionalism in early childhood can mean if understood as part of a 'competent system'. It is illustrated by in-depth case studies of innovative and sustainable pathways to professionalization.

List of contributors

Introduction Michel Vandenbroeck, Jan Peeters, Mathias Urban and Arianna Lazzari

The Danish Pedagogue Education Jytte Juul Jensen

A training for early childhood educators combined with full-time employment in Lyon Marie Paule Thollon Behar and Myriam Mony

Continuous professional support and quality: the case of Pistoia Tullia Musatti, Mariacristina Picchio and Susanna Mayer

The competent ECEC system in the city of Ghent: a long-term investment in continuous professional development Jan Peeters, Chris De Kimpe, Steven Brandt

Early Childhood education and care staff with different qualifications in professional development processes Tatjana Vonta

Personal attitudes and competences of educators as a prerequisite of programme success: the case of the WTANP programme Piotr Olaf Zylicz and Ludmila Rycielska

The early years professional in England Claire Cameron and Linda Miller

From research to policy: the case of early childhood and care Nora Milotay

Lessons learnt and a debate to be continued Jan Peeters, Mathias Urban and Michel Vandenbroeck

Michel Vandenbroeck is Professor at the Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy at Ghent University, Belgium.

Mathias Urban is Professor of Early Childhood Studies and Director of the Early Childhood Research Centre (ECRC) at the University of Roehampton, London, UK

Jan Peeters is the coordinator of the Centre for Innovation in the Early Years of the Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy at Ghent University, Belgium.