Early Childhood Development in Bulgaria: A Study on Systems Supporting Early Childhood Development

The Engaging Men in Nurturing Care: A Roadmap for Systemic Change provides a practical, evidence-informed framework for strengthening men’s and fathers’ involvement in early childhood care and development. Developed through the EMiNC initiative, the Roadmap responds to persistent gender inequalities in caregiving, where structural barriers—such as limited leave policies, workplace norms, and service design—continue to limit fathers’ participation. It highlights the critical role of engaged fatherhood in improving child development outcomes, supporting family well-being, and advancing gender equality across societies.

Grounded in a multi-level, systems-based approach, the Roadmap outlines how change can be driven simultaneously across policies, services, workplaces, communities, and public narratives. It offers actionable guidance for policymakers, practitioners, training institutions, and civil society actors to transform professional practices, engage fathers directly, adapt parenting programmes, and influence workplace and policy environments. Drawing on tested interventions from across Europe, it combines research, practical tools, and real-world examples to support context-specific adaptation and scaling.

Ultimately, the Roadmap positions father engagement not as a standalone issue, but as a key lever for systemic change. By promoting shared caregiving, challenging gender norms, and building strong cross-sector partnerships, it contributes to more inclusive, responsive early childhood systems. It calls for coordinated action across sectors to create the enabling conditions in which all caregivers can participate fully—ensuring better outcomes for children, families, and society as a whole.

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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

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.