The MANDELA model for Early Childhood Education and Care
The MANDELA model for Early Childhood Education and Care is a framework to place inclusivity at the heart of practice with babies, children, and families. It recognises the importance of relationships and belonging and ensuring environments reflect this. It also acknowledges that if we change the start of the journey, we can change educational outcomes for children that can impact across their life course.
The MANDELA way is not about prescription it is about FREEDOM and the workbook uses the word MANDELA to frame questions to enable a deeper understanding of practice to emerge, develop developmental plans and then embed a practice that is constantly evolving:
- Make Time– to really understand the community that uses the setting-staff, children, families. Use this information to shape different conversations, develop relationships, co-construct action plans and ensure they are enacted.
Acknowledge- is about striving for inclusivity in all we do through acknowledging our Needs, Differences, Education, Life experiences and Age. - Needs – what are the different needs of those using the setting, remembering people have the right not to share. How can you ensure the setting in inclusive of all needs? How do staff know and feel their needs are being addressed? How do parents and carers know their child’s needs will be met?
- Difference – this is about recognising we are all different. How do I know I am safe in you setting? Do you see me? Do you value who #I am?
- Education Experiences- acknowledging previous education experiences, providing training and further development of staff. Supporting parents and carers develop their knowledge about child development.
- Life Experience – our journey are all different, how to we value these and how do we create safe environments for people to use and work. How do we ensure are staff are safe practitioners? How does the setting value family diversity and the different experiences of the children using the setting?
- Age -how does the setting value people of different ages. What is its approach to intergenerational sharing? Does it know how age is viewed in different culture?
To learn more about the MANDELA Model, listen to this podcast episode with Dr Prospera Tedam who developed the Model, and Professor Eunice Lumsden who designed the Unique Childhoods Workbook. In the episode, they discuss these tools and how they can be used to support connection and build trust, deepening our anti-discriminatory practice and bringing about change in early childhood education.
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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
Trainer Guide: Extended Training
button[src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/694724257114b734f4bb749a/6985cff74ab2bbd98fabe605_SUPPORTING%20FAMILIES%20FOR%20NURTURING%20CARE%20Training%20Resource%20Package%20for%20Home%20Visiting%20Practices_0.pdf"][label="Download the Resource Package"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-Guide%201.General%20Overview-2.0.pdf"][label="Trainer Guide: General Overview"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-Guide%202.Foundational%20training-2.0.pdf"][label="Trainer Guide: Foundational Training"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT_2025_PowerPoints_Day_I%20-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT_2025_PowerPoints_Day_I%20-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20II-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20II-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20III-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20III-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20IV-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20IV-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20V-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-FT%202025_PowerPoints_Day%20V-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-Guide%203.Extended%20training-2.0.pdf"][label="Trainer Guide: Extended Training"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-ET%20Day%20I-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-ET%20Day%20I-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-ET_Day%20II%20merged-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-ET_Day%20II%20merge-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/eams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-ET_Day%20III%20merged-2.0.pptx"][label="PPT"] button[src="https://clearinghouse.unicef.org/sites/ch/files/ch/teams-ECARO-Planning-ECA%20Knowledge%20at%20UNICEF-ET_Day%20III%20merge-2.0.pdf"][label="PDF"]Published in:
2025
Organization(s):
ISSA, UNICEF ECARO
Language:
Contact:
Ayca Alayli, aalayli@issa.nl
State of Southern European Fathers 2024: Building Evidence for Engaging Men in Nurturing Care in Italy, Portugal, and Spain
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.
Published in:
2025
Organization(s):
ISSA
Language:
Module 3: Nutrition for Infants and Young Children
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 3b: ‘Introducing Complementary Foods’
Module 3c: ‘Nutrition of Children Aged 2-6 Years’
You can access the whole package here.
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"]
Published in:
2025
Organization(s):
UNICEF ECARO & ISSA