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51 Country Overviews

Switzerland  

Author(s)

  • Veerle Van Raemdonck, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences & Arts

Abstract

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is part of the childcare facilities and kindergartens, which is linked to elementary school. In Switzerland, national objectives are stipulated and monitored by The Confederation. Additionally, regional cantons may add objectives and quality indicators for ECEC. Curricula are organised based on the regional educational curriculum plans for each linguistic region (French, German, Italian). Although each canton can freely design its curriculum within these teaching objectives, a lot of similarities in the domains and areas remain. This is a result of the HarmoS Agreement, which stipulates the harmonisation of educational objectives in all cantons of Switzerland. The main challenge is quality control at the level where differences arise: the operational level and the methodology used. Especially for early childhood education and care, heterogeneity in implementation occurs, because this is solely the responsibility of cantons and municipalities. Because there is no confederational framework, a compulsory educational framework for quality control in ECEC is a challenge for the near future.

References

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CO-216-Switzerland.pdf