The Network of Experts working on the Social dimension of Education and Training (NESET), an initiative of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, published a report for early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals working with multilingual children and families. The publication formulates research- and practice-based policy recommendations for high-quality continuous professional development (CPD).

ECEC professionals play a crucial role in the education of multilingual children, including those with a migration background, for whom ECEC is often the first contact they have with the majority language of the country in which they are growing up. To support multilingual children and families, ECEC staff must possess complex knowledge, skills and competences, as well as an understanding of child development and early childhood pedagogy.

The recommendations, listed briefly below, offer concrete avenues for consideration by policymakers, centre leaders and ECEC professionals.

1. The development and implementation of CPD on multilingualism in ECEC should follow a step-wise design, in which the desired outcomes for multilingual children and families are defined in advance of selecting the targeted practices and CPD delivery modes.
2. The development and implementation of CPD on multilingualism in ECEC should emerge from a positive vision of multilingualism and through collaboration with parents. The development of CPD should draw on scientific knowledge, and also work well with existing policies.
3. The development and implementation of CPD on multilingualism in ECEC should be tailored to the needs and capabilities of professionals. CPD should be adapted to specific contexts, and a range of practices and delivery modes should be put forward.
4. The development and implementation of CPD on multilingualism in ECEC should be embedded within a sustainable, system-based policy on staff professionalisation.
5. The development and implementation of CPD on multilingualism in ECEC should be integrated into an ongoing focus on quality within ECEC.

The recommendations can be found in full in the published documents below: the full report and three executive summaries in German, French and English.