Interprofessional collaboration in ECEC: a review of European countries with different levels of system integration

Abstract

In various European countries, there is significant variation in thelevel of early childhood education and care (ECEC) systemintegration. In these countries, in which the level of systemintegration varies from split to integrated systems, there is agrowing interest in interprofessional collaboration (IPC) betweenECEC, school, and family support (family services, welfare, andchild protection services) to offer integrated services for childrenand their families. In a realist review of six countries with varyinglevels of ECEC system integration (in descending order ofintegration: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Flanders(Belgium) and the Netherlands), we analyzed the literature relatedto IPC between professionals from ECEC, school, and familysupport. The review showed various IPC mechanisms, includingbarriers and facilitators, for professionals working in ECEC whoface similar challenges in achieving pedagogical continuity andoffering integrated services in different countries