The centre sees itself as an independent authority in the field of pedagogical quality in the childcare sector and intends, in due course, to advise professionals and policymakers. The EPKK will focus on deepening scientific knowledge in the childcare sector and applying it in practice. Another aim of the centre of expertise is to feed findings from practice back into academia.
During its first two years, the centre of expertise will be funded partly through its own resources, contributions from childcare organisations and an initial grant from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
Josette Hoex, an employee of the Netherlands Youth Institute (NJi), considers the EPKK important: “The NJi advocates strengthening foundational pedagogical services. Childcare is part of this. These services play an important role in supporting parents with raising their children. Moreover, if parents can share their parenting questions with the professionals who work there, it can prevent ordinary difficulties in growing up from being approached too quickly as a problem. A strong pedagogical foundation can therefore also help reduce the growing use of youth care services. Attention to pedagogical quality in the childcare sector, as advocated by the EPKK, is therefore important to everyone involved in raising children and supporting their development.”