The aim of this research project is to look at the development of out of school care services for children aged 5 to 12 living in disadvanted areas. The research will be carried out in six Member States (Estonia,UK, Germany, Belgium, PT, Czech Rep.). The key point of the study is to identify and examine in detail what works and what can be used to inform policy and practice development in other parts of the EU.
Objectivos:
- to develop a framework to examine the development of out of school services and jobs to support children aged 5 to 12 in disadvantaged areas; <br />- to present three case studies of such initiatives from each of the 6 countries, including references to why and how they developed, success factors and challenges; <br />-to explore the contribution of these initiatives to combating social exclusion and improving the quality of life for children aged 5 to 12 in disadvantaged areas; <br />- to present a consolidated report of the development of out of school childcare services and job creation in the field, with recommendations for policy.
State of the art:
Advancements in European childcare are taking place within a range of economic, social and family policy developments. However current European childcare initiatives such as the Barcelona targets are primarily focused on pre-school children, and there are not currently any European policies or targets on childcare for children of school-age, or for out of school care in disadvantage areas. This research considers the drivers and thinking behind childcare in general, and draws out key issues in relation to out of school care and disadvantage areas. The European Foundation report "Employment developments in childcare services for school-age children" found that national governments in Europe are working towards supplying sufficient childcare services to meet the needs of parents with pre-school children, but that only a few Member States are addressing the need for childcare services for school-age children. However, there is some evidence that Member States area beginning to address childcare needs for school-age children, and develop strategies and programmes to tackle this issue.
