Early childhood education and care in Austria: challenges and education policies

• Published in: Early child development and care Vol. 188; no. 5; pp. 624 - 633
• Main Author: Smidt, Wilfried
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 04.05.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Austria; Barriers; Child Care; Child Care Centers; Childhood; Day care centers; Early Childhood Education; ECEC; Education; education policies; Education policy; Educational Policy; Educational Research; Foreign Countries; Infrastructure; Institutional Cooperation; Interaction; Preschool Education; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Education Programs; Teachers; Young Children; Austria
• ISSN: 0300-4430; 1476-8275
• DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2017.1403431

After a first peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, early childhood education and care (ECEC) again plays an important role in the educational system in Austria. Over 90% of 3-5-year-old children attend non-familial institutions such as preschools. A consequence of this development is that new challenges arise, which have become the subject of scholarly discussions and education policies. A first challenge refers to the academization of the training of preschool teachers. A second challenge focuses on the need to improve interaction quality in preschools. A third challenge relates to improvements in the degree of collaboration between preschool and primary school. A fourth challenge is the need to establish a research infrastructure in ECEC in Austria to gain country-specific research evidence. This contribution aims to elucidate and examine these challenges, along with current education policies to improve ECEC in Austria.