The Ecosystem Model of Inclusive Early Childhood Education - European perspectives. Presented by Dr Eva Bjork (Sweden)

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The Inclusive Early Childhood Education (IECE) project by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, aimed to identify, analyse and promote the main characteristics of quality IECE for all children. It focused on the structures and processes that can ensure a systemic approach to providing high-quality IECE that meets the academic and social learning needs of all children from the school’s local community from 3 years old to the start of primary education – 5–7 years old. Framed by policy documents and relevant research the main characteristics of quality early childhood education (IECE) for all children were explored based on data from more than 30 European countries resulting in the Ecosystem Model of Inclusive Early Childhood Education. This model aims to support policy-makers, researchers and practitioners to collaborate in planning, reviewing and improving quality IECE services. The report concludes with a set of recommendations mainly directed at policy-makers. They can be downloaded in 25 different languages from the agency's web area. 

Presenter: Dr Eva Bjork

Psychologist by profession, and professor of Special Education in the CHILD research environment at School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University since 2006. Main focus in research is development of young children with disability, communicative interaction, family support, inclusion in preschool and interventions in the close environment. Publications include articles in international journals, books, chapters and reports addressed to researchers, families and practitioners in child rehabilitation and preschool.  International collaboration with researchers in European Countries, South Africa, the US, Australia, Taiwan and worked for WHO, OECD, and European Union organisations, such as the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, and for the Nordic Ministries research organisation NordForsk. Leading positions at two Swedish Universities and secretary general for the Swedish Research Council/Educational sciences.