European Childcare Qualification Background and Development

In September 2002, Early Years Childcare was awarded funding from the European Union's Leonardo Programme. The funding helped to develop an innovative training project, TEECHE (Training for Early Years Childcare and Education in Europe).

TEECHE aimed to improve the quality of, and access to, continuing vocational training and the life long acquisition of skills and competencies for childcare and early years education.

With partners from the UK, Austria and the Netherlands Early Years Childcare developed pan-European training in childcare and education which has become the basis of a new European qualification.

The curriculum developed included a three-tier framework for childcare training across Europe (Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Level). Within each tier learners study three core elements: Child Development, Learning Environment and Professional Development. The balance between theory and practical skills was the focus of the curriculum.

The Child Development module in Foundation Level was piloted during the second half of 2004 in the UK, Austria and the Netherlands. The module focused on different aspects of Child Development for children between 0 – 7 years old. The module consisted of written material for both the trainer and trainees which was delivered during six workshops. A special website with e-learning functions was also included in the pilot. The pilot was well received with 90% of the trainees recommending the course.