Belgium – ECEC Workforce Profile

This chapter is a part of a digital book with the ECEC Workforce profile of 33 European Countries (Oberhuemer & Schreyer, 2024). 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. It is underlined that more bridges need to be established between the working groups on reforms in the ECEC field and professionals from both childcare services and pre-primary schools. The challenges are multi-level: to develop a global and coherent view; to give opportunities to improve the quality of the workforce in all the services; to be able to develop an educare approach grounded in children and families’ participation.