Examples of activities
Sustainable learning in a professional learning community
Action-training research- project to improve professional quality in early childhood organizations through critical reflection
(Permanent leren. Van zelfreflectie naar teamreflectie. A, van Keulen, A. del Barrio Saiz. SWP, Amsterdam 2010.)
The model for Sustainable learning in a professional learning community is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support in order to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two-year action-research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008). The international developments in the field of professionalization in early childhood indicate the need for new requirements for early childhood educators. Based on the theories of reflective learning and the critical learning community, eight learning methods were developed and co-constructed.
The experiences and the results of this project have been described in a publication that can be used with educators in extra courses in working practice, as well as with students in professional training institutes.
The book forms the basis for a nationally accredited in-service training program developed by Bureau MUTANT for educators and coaches.
The eight learning methods developed are: Naming qualities; Asking critical questions; Keeping a Learning process diary, Reflection on Thinking, feeling and willing; Mapping the Context of the childcare centre; Formulating a Personal challenge; Cooperating with a colleague; A Contract of a learning community.
Download article:
Keulen, A. van (2010) The Early Childhood Educator in a Critical Learning Community: towards sustainable change. Comtemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 11(1), 106-112
For further information send an e-mail to a.vankeulen@mutant.nl.
Democratic citizenship for young children
Several research recommend that young children not only have to learn a democratic way of life, but also need to have chances to practice this lifestyle. More possibilitites to practice this democratic way of life are necessary – in school, child care. In the community.
The project Childcare centre and school as space for democratic practice aims to create in childcare centres and school a space for democratic practice, with a voice for every child, educator, teacher and manager.The project fulfills so the social function of child care and the pedagogical task taking seriously children as young citizens and preparing them for society.
Central themes: participation and decision making, responsibility for the group and community, conflict solving and respect for diversity. The outline and programme of the project is based on international research. Professor Glenda Mac Naughton from the University Melbourne in Australia supports the research part in this project.
The project started in september 2009 in four pilot organisations in Integrated schools, childcare centres and after-school care and it will run for three years, financially supported by the Bernard van Leer Foundation.
In a second project Democratic citizenship for 3-6-year olds activities have been developed that support education to democracy and support the competences children need to live in a world full of diversity. Methods used are the Mosaic Approach and the Family wall. In the project MUTANT cooperates with the programme of the Peaceble school of Eduniek.
More information: Anke van Keulen contact.
Organizing care projects for migrant elderly
MUTANT supports local authorities and care organisations in the development of specific care provisions for migrant seniors.
For example the organisation of study trips, conferences, exchange programs and the initiation of day-care centres for Moluccan or Surinam older people, or for Turkish and Moroccan older men and women.
More informaton: Fuusje de Graaff, contact.
Research to improve intercultural communication in palliative care
Fuusje de Graaff conducted in 2006-2010 research into the decision-making processes and communication in palliative care for Turkish and Moroccan patients for ZonMw, the Netherlands organization for health research and development. MUTANT will utilize the outcomes of the study to further develop training materials for General Practitioners and nurses. Moreover the results will be part of the development of culturally sensitive guidelines for the palliative care in the Netherlands.
Example networks:
European network DECET
MUTANT is co-founder and was overall-coordinator (2004-2006) of the European network DECET (Diversity in Early Childhood Education and Training). DECET stimulates equal opportunities and values diversity in child- care and pre-school facilities and in training and education based on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. Participating organisations are from Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
DECET cooperates closely with the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) that strives for quality in early childhood in 30 countries in East and Middle Europe and in the former Sovjet Republics.
MUTANT takes part in the DECET study group ‘Professionalism’ (Ana del Barrio Saiz) which looks into the diversity competencies of professionals, and in the study group ‘Children’s voices’ (Anke van Keulen) which aims to promote the participation of young children.
Together with a DECET study group MUTANT wrote a training manual; see www.decet.org.
Download DECET flyer
More information: Anke van Keulen, contact
Childcare International
Childcare International, of which Anke van Keulen is co-initiator, founded the Transferpunt Kinderopvang at the beginning of 2007. Its objective is to exchange knowledge and experience of the child-care sector, playgroups and Early Childhood Education with relevant knowledge and experience abroad. CCI also wants to bring the acquired knowledge to the attention of management and politics.
Functions of CCI:
- To make knowledge accessible for Dutch and foreign professionals and organisations.
- To arrange translations of publications.
- To maintain the network
- To publish the magazine Kinderen in Europa / Children in Europe
With the conference ‘Young children and citizenship’ Childcare International put the social function of child care on the agenda and published : ‘Kinderschapsvorming, kinderopvang van opvang naar educatie tot instrument voor burgerschapsvorming’. (Young children and citizenship’:, child care from care to education to an instrument for citizenship)
More information: Anke van Keulen, contact and www.childcareinternational.nl
Joint Learning Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity
MUTANT is member of the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity, a global and inter-disciplinary network of leading researchers, policy-makers and practitioners who are committed to reducing racial and ethnic divisions and conflicts and building socially inclusive and respectful communities through the promotion of effective early childhood programs. Through the coordinated activities of six Learning Groups we aim to share and disseminate existing expertise and knowledge as well as work in partnership with local organizations and researchers to support the development of new and innovative early childhood programs in regions characterized by divisions and/or conflicts.
MUTANT joins the ‘Children, Race and Ethnicity Learning Group’, chaired by Professor Glenda MacNaughton (Australia)
This group focuses on developing understanding of the ways in which racial and ethnic divisions and/or conflict impact upon young children and their families and communities through promoting and supporting the development of innovative approaches to indepth and situated qualitative research.
More information: Anke van Keulen, contact and www.unaglobal.org
Prisma (reflecting the Positive DiveRsities of European PrIorities for Research and Measurement in End-of-Life CAre)
MUTANT contributed to the International meeting on culture and end-of-life care.
Experts in culture and end-of-life care from across Europe met in May 2010 to discuss PRISMA’s work regarding cultural competency and end-of-life care and determine how to develop this work further. Findings from the culture-scoping exercise were presented and discussed within this forum.
Our one-day meeting of experts, hosted by PRISMA work package one in collaboration with CRESIB, University of Vic and the Institut Català d'Oncolgia, was followed by a one-day conference attended by over 200 delegates including politicians, academics, researchers, students and clinicians.
This two-day international meeting on culture and end-of-life care forms an important aspect of PRISMA’s efforts to coordinate future directions in achieving culturally appropriate quality standards for end-of-life care.
More information: www.prismafp7.eu