Duration
30h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The aim of this course is to raise students' awareness of educational practice led daily with young children in ECEC services, the questions that they raise, and closely related approaches to observation and analysis. It introduces them to the educational directions of different pedagogical trends and models of action likely to provide the basis for practice and educational projects for young children in contemporary ECEC services (Loczy, Cresas, approach based on Malaguzzi's works, the work of the DECET network, etc.). It situates educational questions and challenges in their historical and political-administrative context. It encourages students to question what can be considered as evidence, to identify tensions and even contradictions inherent in the field, and to analyse and understand the transformation of a sector where the educational dimension is today of ever increasing importance.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This course will enable students to:
- identify the main issues involved in the development of the different educational functions of ECEC services (educational, economic, and social),
- develop their skills in observing young children's activities in everyday situations within ECEC services (play, care, etc.), using a variety of resources (videos, photographs, etc.), and critically reflect on the image of the young child that emerges from them,
- analyse the conditions of care that support children's activity and contribute to their well-being in childcare settings, and examine the relationships established between early childhood professionals and families,
- critically examine the guiding principles underpinning the organisation of educational conditions in ECEC services, drawing on different models of action and reference documents.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
none
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Through the proposed activities, each student elaborates a report in which he documents the evolution of his representations about :
- the criteria of a young child who feels well,
- the educational conditions set up in a childcare service,
- an educational issue in early years education.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
Teaching is delivered primarily in person, with an online space (eCampus) dedicated to assignments and course resources. However, some sessions may be held online in synchronous mode, depending on the availability of guest lecturers.
The course takes place during the second semester, on Thursdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Students are expected to gather in the classroom assigned to the course (see CELCAT timetable).
The seminar associated with the course will be held in person on 12 February, 26 March, and 16 April 2026 at the same time.
The course combines a variety of activities, including:
- thematic lectures,
- analysis of documents (articles, legal texts, psycho-pedagogical frameworks, institutional projects, etc.),
- observations based on video and photographic materials,
- interviews with early childhood professionals (including a mandatory visit to a childcare centre).
A visit to an ECEC service (nursery) will be required following the session on the educational project. The organisation of this visit, as well as in-person sessions, may be adapted to sanitary requirements if necessary.
As part of the seminar, students will receive formative individual feedback on an interim report, provided by peers and supervised by the teaching team and a doctoral researcher. This activity takes place within a compulsory seminar designed to introduce and practise the use of a tool for comparing student work. Attendance at all three seminar sessions is mandatory.
For students in the transitional programme, this seminar is integrated into the course requirements. For students in the new programme (2025-2026), the seminar is linked to course PEDA4066-1 and carries 1 ECTS credit.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- Microsoft Teams
Further information:
A reading portfolio is made available to students. It includes articles, excerpts from reference documents, a bibliography for further study, as well as summary notes prepared by the instructor. Certain readings are mandatory. PowerPoint presentations will be uploaded after each session. All materials are accessible online via the eCampus platform.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
- Remote
written exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Assignment to be submitted - report due on Monday, 18 May 2026, by 10:00 a.m. via submission on eCampus.
Evaluation will be based on a report prepared individually by each student throughout the proposed activities (see learning activities). This report will consist of an analysis of various resources: readings available on eCampus, written, video, and photo-based observations, as well as a visit to a childcare centre (including interview and observation).
The report will allow students to articulate their understanding of the field of early childhood care and education (motivation, experiences, questions, etc.), to keep track of their reflections, and to demonstrate referenced analytical work. It will also illustrate the evolution of students' representations of childcare outside the family setting (nursery) and of the educational conditions to be ensured.
This work will encourage students to develop a reflective perspective not only on the situation analysed, but also on their own learning process and conceptions of the field, through self-assessment.
The instructor will provide students with a support tool to guide the preparation of these assignments.
Assessment criteria:
- compliance with instructions,
- accuracy and rigour,
- relevance of analysis,
- articulation between theory and practice.
For students enrolled in the transitional programme (4 ECTS), participation in the Feed-back Comproved seminar is compulsory in order to meet deliberation requirements.
For students enrolled in the new programme (3 ECTS), the same compulsory seminar (1 ECTS) is associated with the course PEDA4066-1.
Work placement(s)
Ten hours of practical work are devoted to the exploration of an ECEC service (nursery): reading of the care project, preparation of an interview and a visit (strongly recommended between 20 February and 19 March 2026), and analysis of the data collected in relation to the issues addressed in the course. Their organisation will be adapted as necessary in light of sanitary requirements.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
On-line elements (e-campus): support tool to carry out this work.
Contacts
Florence Pirard, Professor, contactable by preference by email florence.pirard@uliege.be (B33, bureau 2/30, 2nd floor)
Marie Housen, assistant, contactable by preference by email marie.housen@uliege.be (B33, office 2/29, 2nd floor)
Krystel Ciura, assistant, contactable by preference by email krystel.ciura@uliege.be (B33, office 2/29, 2nd floor)
Christophe Genette, assistant, contactable by preference by mail christophe.genette@uliege.be (B33, office 2/29, 2nd floor)
Jasna Vorgic, secretary, jasna.vorgic@uliege.be