Evaluar los servicios para la infancia: un recorrido de participación

Abstract

This contribution presents the methodological and theoretical approach of the evaluation system of early childhood education and care services that the “Human Development and Society” research group at ISTC-CNR, has developed and implemented in several municipal and regional areas in Italy. Accordingly to the main elements emerged in the European and Italian debate on evaluation of early childhood education and care services, it is assumed that the quality of the services should be defined within a continuous process of discussion between all stakeholders. Also the activity of evaluation has to be carried out within a participatory process aimed at the continuous improvement of practices as well as at controlling and verifying their quality. All the stakeholders are involved in analyzing the educational provision and in judging its coherence with the social educational goals and objectives pursued. Their participation in the evaluation is regulated by procedures that take into account their different role and stances in the service and induce them to express and discuss their view on the different aspects of the service. The systematic documentation of the educational practice represents a powerful tool of the evaluation activity as it makes the practice visible in its different aspects, thus ensuring a common basis for sharing and discussing between all participants.