Author:
Surdu, L.
Published in:
2013
Organization:
ISSA - International Step by Step Association
Country:
The Netherlands
Language:
English

Growing through Sharing Together: Needs and Aspirations of Romani Early Childhood Professionals



Growing through sharing together: Needs and aspirations of Romani early childhood professionals report was developed to support  ISSA and Early Childhood Program at the Open Society Foundation to launch The Romani Early Years Network (REYN).  The selected group of practitioners provided information through questionnaires and interviews regarding their continuous professional development needs stating that it would be of great importance to combine formal and in-service training which would result in either certification or diplomas. They also showed significant interest in study-visits as a form of in-service training, and saw value in participating in a European ECD network supporting emerging and established Romani early childhood development professionals, as well as other professionals working in the field of ECD with Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Sinti, Gitano and other communities. 

Given the results of the study, ISSA and OSF/ECP moved forward with launching a new partnership initiative in the second half of 2012. The Romani Early Years Network (REYN) is a network hosted and managed by ISSA, launched as a partnership with Open Society Foundations' Roma 'Kopaçi' initiatives of the Early Childhood Programme. The Network focuses on emerging and established Romani early childhood development professionals, as well as other professionals working in the field of ECD with Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, Sinti, Gitano and other communities. REYN's main purpose is to support the development of skills and good practice, extend the knowledge drawn from experiences of working effectively with Romani families and children in ECD, establish effective partnerships between Roma and other ECD professionals and paraprofessionals and support professional development for those working with these marginalized and excluded groups. Practitioners who are interested in joining the REYN network are encouraged to write to membership@issa.nl.