Cognitive, social, and emotional development are most significantly influenced by the initial years of a child’s existence. However, quality **early childhood education (ECE)** is still unattainable for a significant number of children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in numerous countries.
Enter the **International Step by Step Association (ISSA)**, a global network that is committed to the advancement of **inclusive, high-quality early childhood services** that guarantee the success of all children from the outset.
ISSA has been at the forefront of early learning innovation, advocacy, and capacity-building for more than 25 years, driven by the conviction that **every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves a strong start in life**.
Who is ISSA?
ISSA, a **membership-based network** of organizations, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, was established in 1999 and is headquartered in the Netherlands. Its objective is to enhance early childhood development in **Europe, Central Asia, and beyond**.
Its mission is unambiguous: to ensure that all children have access to high-quality early childhood services and to provide assistance to the professionals, families, and communities that foster the development of young children.
-The ISSA Approach: Innovation, Equity, and Quality
ISSA’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program emphasizes three fundamental components:
1. **Career Advancement**
ISSA provides **evidence-based training, resources, and peer learning opportunities** to early childhood professionals, including teachers, caregivers, and health workers. Its flagship **ISSA Quality Resource Pack** is extensively employed to evaluate and enhance pedagogical practices.
2. **Policy Advocacy**
ISSA advocates for **inclusive and equitable early childhood policies** through partnerships with governments, NGOs, and international agencies. It provides research and policy guidance to enhance national standards and systems.
3. **Exchange of Innovative Practices**
ISSA functions as a knowledge center, facilitating the exchange of innovations, best practices, and lessons learned among members from various countries. Cross-border collaboration in ECE is fostered by its **annual conferences**, **webinars**, and **publications**.
Programs in Action
ISSA’s ECE initiatives have had a tangible effect on numerous domains:
**Inclusive Classrooms**: Educators are trained to collaborate with a variety of groups, such as Roma children, migrants, and children with disabilities. **Learning Through Play**: Child-centered pedagogies that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking are promoted. **Family Engagement**: Parents and caregivers are empowered to participate as active partners in early learning. **Monitoring and Evaluation**: Tools are developed to evaluate the quality of ECE services and support continuous improvement.
In countries such as **Serbia**, **Ukraine**, **Romania**, and **Moldova**, ISSA’s member organizations are implementing these principles on a large scale to transform national ECE landscapes.
Crisis Intervention
**Early childhood education in emergencies** is also significantly influenced by ISSA. The association collaborates with partners to offer **safe learning environments, psychosocial support, and continuity of care** to young children who have been impacted by trauma in the wake of conflicts, refugee crises, and natural disasters.
For instance, ISSA demonstrated its agility and compassion in times of need by mobilizing its network to support child wellbeing and early learning for displaced families during the Ukraine crisis.
A Community in Expansion for Change
ISSA is not merely an initiative; it is a **movement** of early childhood champions who are striving to create a more equitable and nurturing world for all children, with **more than 90 member organizations** in over 40 countries.
ISSA is committed to advancing the standards of early childhood education by cultivating partnerships that transcend sectors and borders, ensuring that it is **inclusive, holistic, and transformative**.
Participate in the Mission
The initial years are crucial. Investing in young children is one of the most intelligent and impactful actions that a society can take.
**ISSA invites you to participate in the change**, regardless of whether you are an advocate, researcher, policymaker, or educator. By bolstering children from the outset, we establish more resilient families, communities, and futures.
Discover additional information regarding ISSA’s Early Childhood Education Program at: 🔗 [www.issa.nl] (https://www.issa.nl)