Towards a New Global and Responsive Approach to Early Childhood Education and Care Services

European and global early childhood education and care (ECEC) systems face a paradox. Although ECEC is widely recognised as crucial for children’s development and for advancing equity—especially for disadvantaged families—major challenges remain. Access to ECEC remains unequal, with many children from low-income or migrant backgrounds facing exclusion. At the same time, ECEC professionals often work in poorer conditions than other education and care staff, and Europe faces a growing shortage of qualified workers. Debates about the role of gender in care sectors also remain unresolved.  This book is the result of the Erasmus+ KA2 project EDUFIRST, which responds to this situation by learning from innovative practices in Barcelona, Milan and Tampere. Coordinated by the University of Vic (Barcelona), the project promotes a responsive, global ECEC approach that intertwines policy, institutional and pedagogical dimensions. Its aim is to strengthen inclusion, equity, community participation and climate justice while supporting municipalities in improving local systems and advancing the EU Child Guarantee.