VBJK

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VBJK has taken the initiative of promoting the European EQUAL project ecce ama! childcare in learning networks. The project partners were: Kind en Gezin, de Landelijke Kinderopvang, VCOK, Stad Antwerpen, Koepel Buurt- en nabijheidsdiensten, Stad Brugge / OCMW Brugge, De Blauwe lelie/ DOG, and Stad Gent/Pedagogische Begeleidingsdienst Gent. 

The main goal of ecce ama! was to develop a renewing quality instrument to train deprived groups for a job in the childcare sector. In order to do that we have develop similar instruments for formation workers, training organisations, managers and professionals in childcare. This way we could introduce them to working with the groups mentioned. We attached mahor importance to guiding people and especially men towards childcare, quality employment in childcare and quality childcare that is accessible to all parents and children.

ecce ama! stood for four goals on a national level. This have been put into practice by as many working groups.

1) The first group shaped quality employment and training for new and experienced family daycarers. The ‘childminder academy’ is a training instrument for family daycarers which combines a classical training and an online training environment (at home). This so-called blended learning is an ideal extension of the current situation daycarers are in. Simultaneously we have developed a course in pc and internet initiation, for daycarers. Another selection instrument was developed for daycare services. It allows them to put the ‘action competences’ of a new candidate into perspective.

2) The second group improved the education and formation possibilities in childcare. They did so by integrating the themes from the EQUAL goals: working with deprived groups by participation, dealing with diversity, optimalizing the local network. Therefore an instrument for teachers and trainers has been developed. It allows them to screen their current courses on diversity. Moreover two new manuals have been developed on the social function of childcare: one for managers and one for trainers. Within the training for trainers, two new instruments came into existence to shape the social policy of childcare provisions – specifically the CKOs.
Finally the book Ontvlambare Vingers offers inspiration for trainers to prepare their students and participants to offering childcare that is oriented towards the neighbourhood and base don art and creativity.

3) The third group built and extended a quality frame for local childcare initiatives. This way childcare can guarantee quality and employment. Their work was based on the DECET principles and led to the inspiring manual ‘Kinderopvang met sociale functie. Een plaats waar kinderen, ouders, medewerkers en buurt elkaar ontmoeten. ’.

4) To underline the importance of guiding vulnerable families towards childcare, the DVD Childcare Stories was produced. It contained an educational package for sensitizing activities with parents, guides, responsibles from childcare.

On a transnational level ecce ama! participated in the European EQUAL project Improving Childcare needs of children and families - demands of the labour market.
Within this cooperation a gender instrument was developed in order to involve more male professionals in childcare.

Contact: Katrien Van Laere

Project Partners
VBJK
Kind en Gezin
Landelijke Kinderopvang 
VCOK
Pedagogische begeleidingsdienst Stad Gent
Koepel van Buurt- en Nabijheidsdiensten
Stad Antwerpen
Stad Brugge
OCMW Brugge 
De Blauwe Lelie

International Partners (TCA)
Luxemburg
QUALIflex - Qualität und Flexibilität in der Kinderbetreuung
Belgium (French & German)
Accueil de l'enfance en province de Luxembourg
Germany
ABC
Italy
CO.P.IN
Lithuania
FORWARD! Šeima ir darbas suderinami