Belgium – ECEC Work-force Profile

This chapter is a part of a digital book with the ECEC Workforce profile of 30 European Countries. It is focused on the childcare and preschool profession in Belgium, a federal, multi-lingual state comprising three autonomous Regions (Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Brussels-Capital Region), three language Communities (Flemish, French, German-speaking). In these three Communities, there is still a clear division of responsibilities for ‘education’ and ‘care’. This administrative split in services between ‘childcare’ for the under-threes and ‘education’ for children aged 2½ years up to school entry is also reflected in the qualifications, the continuing professional development and working conditions observed in these two different sectors. It generates problems regarding professionalisation, particularly the low qualifications for childcare workers as well the training for managing child care centres. However research projects influenced by European studies and reforms (implemented or forthcoming) both in the education and childcare sector generate new dynamics in the field over the last decade.