Abstract
Early childhood education and care services present some specific features that have important implications on theoretical approach and procedures for evaluating their quality. We will present a system of evaluation of ECEC quality designed by our research group and implemented in some Italian municipalities, discussing its approach to evaluation and describing its procedures. In the evaluation process, the participation of different stakeholders (teachers, pedagogical coordinators, managers and parents) is promoted. The system is based on procedures of observations and written documentation of children’s and parents experience collected systematically by ECEC professionals analyzed and discussed during collegial meetings. Evaluation activities are inscribed within the current professional practices of ECEC professionals and are aimed at improving educational practices as well as professionals’ reflexivity.
Keywords
evaluation; documentation; participation; reflectivity; inter-subjectivity