A Sequence of Adapted Curricula in Early Childhood in Romania

Four partners contributed to the formulation of the bid to the Leonardo da Vinci Lifelong Learning Programme for Partnership funding for a two year project from 2009-2011. The partners were the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania, the College of Humanities and Economics in Sieradz, Poland and Newman University College (NUC), Birmingham, UK. Notions of 'inclusion' and 'play' in early years childcare and education are contestable, uncertain and create challenges for those who work with children and their families In addition, it is recognised that a well qualified children's workforce promotes inclusive learning for children. However, variations exist in how inclusion and play are constructed by early years practitioners within and across European countries and beyond (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD 2006). Such variations arise from social, cultural, political and historical landscapes specific to each country, but each country faces common challenges in terms of sharing professional expertise and making space for debates about 'inclusion' and 'play'.