Blended learning and holistic teacher support for equitable ECEC during COVID-19

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ISSA Member: Step by Step Albania, Albania What happened? In early 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns were announced in Albania, Step by Step Albania faced an extraordinary challenge: ECEC services had to pivot quickly with no warning. Educators were forced to shift to remote teaching without any national support or training infrastructure. What was needed? How did they respond? Educators needed immediate guidance, not just on technical aspects of virtual teaching, but also on coping with stress and uncertainty. In response, Step by Step Albania provided holistic support such as webinars and learning resources that addressed both digital migration (e.g., Zoom, Google Classroom) and the emotional impact of sudden change. This included tools to deal with stress, anxiety, and maintain community through distance. Key challenges: Solutions: Step by Step Albania supported peer networking among educators, inviting them to share experiences and support each other emotionally during the crisis. Young volunteers helped bridge digital literacy gaps, especially in Roma communities. These efforts strengthened social cohesion and fostered mutual care among staff and communities. What's in place? What's missing? Step by Step Albania showed how rapid, empathetic, blended training can support educators’ skills and emotional resilience in crisis. But because there’s no embedded system for educator support or blended pedagogy in emergencies, the positive effects remain confined to areas NGOs can reach. Embedding ECD workforce well-being into national preparedness is essential for consistent, long-term workforce resilience. Recommendations National policymakers: Local/national actors Private donors Professionals/practitioners Explore further: Blended Learning is the Apex of Education Nowadays | ISSAISSA Member: Partners Hungary Foundation, Hungary What happened? In February 2022, when Russia invaded…ISSA Member: Trust for Social Achievement and Worldwide Foundation for Vulnerable Children, Bulgaria **What h…ISSA Member: Step by Step Centre for Education and Professional Development, Romania What happened? In…

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Supporting families for nurturing care: Training resource package for home visiting practices

This training package equips trainers of home visiting professionals with essential knowledge, skills, and tools to deliver consistent, high-quality pre-service and in-service training.

Developed by UNICEF ECARO and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), it builds on almost ten years of collaboration and earlier home visiting modules (2017–2025). The goal is to strengthen home visiting as a key community health service supporting families from pregnancy to early childhood.

The package includes three guides: General Overview, Foundational Training, and Extended Training, each offering adaptable materials such as session plans, slides, and handouts based on nurturing and family-centered care.

It combines two main areas: (1) programmatic knowledge on child development, health, nutrition, and parental wellbeing, and (2) practical skills such as communication, relationship building, observation, problem-solving, and cultural responsiveness.

Grounded in adult learning principles, the training encourages reflection, peer learning, and practical application, fostering the professional growth of trainers and home visitors while improving the quality of home visiting services.

Trainer Guide: General Overview

Trainer Guide: Foundational Training

Day 1 PPT | PDF

Day 2 PPT | PDF

Day 3 PPT | PDF

Day 4 PPT | PDF

Day 5 PPT | PDF

Trainer Guide: Extended Training

Day 1 PPT | PDF

Day 2 PPT | PDF

Day 3 PPT | PDF

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Published in:

2025

Organization(s):

ISSA, UNICEF ECARO

Language:

English

Contact:

Ayca Alayli, aalayli@issa.nl

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State of Southern European Fathers 2024: Building Evidence for Engaging Men in Nurturing Care in Italy, Portugal, and Spain

Engaging Men and Promoting Positive Gender Norms in Early Childhood

The State of Southern European Fathers 2024 report, developed under the EMiNC initiative, explores fathers’ involvement in caregiving across Italy, Portugal, and Spain. While many men report active participation in daily care, a significant perception gap remains: 74% of fathers believe caregiving is equally shared, but only 51% of mothers agree. The findings show that mothers still carry the greater caregiving and household burden, often at the expense of their well-being and professional opportunities. At the same time, the report highlights the vital role fathers play in children’s development—greater involvement is linked to stronger emotional bonds, improved learning outcomes, and better long-term well-being for children.

Yet barriers persist: rigid workplace cultures, limited access to paid leave, and lack of affordable, quality childcare constrain men’s ability to participate equally. The report calls for robust policy reforms—such as fully paid, non-transferable leave for fathers—and investments in early childhood services that actively engage men. Public campaigns and local peer support networks are also essential to shift norms and expectations. Promoting men’s caregiving is not only a matter of gender equality, it is a key strategy to ensure all children thrive from the very start.

The report, developed under the EMiNC initiative, explores fathers’ involvement in caregiving across Italy, Portugal, and Spain. While many men report active participation in daily care, a significant perception gap remains: 74% of fathers believe caregiving is equally shared, but only 51% of mothers agree. The findings show that mothers still carry the greater caregiving and household burden, often at the expense of their well-being and professional opportunities. At the same time, the report highlights the vital role fathers play in children’s development—greater involvement is linked to stronger emotional bonds, improved learning outcomes, and better long-term well-being for children.Yet barriers persist: rigid workplace cultures, limited access to paid leave, and lack of affordable, quality childcare constrain men’s ability to participate equally. The report calls for robust policy reforms—such as fully paid, non-transferable leave for fathers—and investments in early childhood services that actively engage men. Public campaigns and local peer support networks are also essential to shift norms and expectations. Promoting men’s caregiving is not only a matter of gender equality, it is a key strategy to ensure all children thrive from the very start.

button[src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/694724257114b734f4bb749a/6985cfd8a00c77551ab945be_SoF%20Report%20Updated_Sept2025.pdf"][label="Download in English"]

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Published in:

2025

Organization(s):

ISSA

Language:

English

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Module 3: Nutrition for Infants and Young Children

family

child health

home visiting

parenting support

The Module 3 ‘Nutrition for Infants and Young Children’ is intended to support home visitors and other health professionals in providing advice and support to parents and families on infant and young child nutrition. It includes three modules:

Module 3a: ‘Breastfeeding’

Module 3b: ‘Introducing Complementary Foods’

Module 3c: ‘Nutrition of Children Aged 2-6 Years’

You can access the whole package here.

Download 3a. Breastfeeding

Download 3b. Introducing Complementary Foods

Download 3c. Nutrition of Children Aged 2-6 Years

button[src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/694724257114b734f4bb749a/6985cf735eb0b715b71d6271_3a.Nutrition-BreastfeedingNEWBORN-ENG-WEB.pdf"][label="Download 3a. Breastfeeding"] button[src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/694724257114b734f4bb749a/6985cf743139d7275e743a0a_3b.Nutrition-InfantYoungChild-ENG-WEB.pdf"][label="Download 3b. Introducing Complementary Foods"] button[src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/694724257114b734f4bb749a/6985cf766ca73e3f96db4776_3c.Nutrition-YoungChild2-6-ENG.pdf"][label="Download 3c. Nutrition of Children Aged 2-6 Years"]

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Published in:

2025

Organization(s):

UNICEF ECARO & ISSA

Language:

English

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