The Sub-Department of Preschool Pedagogy operates within the Department of Social Sciences as the central scientific and teaching unit in the field of early and preschool education (internationally recognised as the ECEC field \u2013 Early Childhood Education and Care). The members of the Sub-Department primarily teach courses in early and preschool education within the university undergraduate and graduate study programmes in Early and Preschool Education, and they also contribute to teaching across other study programmes as well as lifelong learning programmes offered by the Faculty of Education. In doing so, they ensure that the teaching process remains aligned with current scientific insights and contemporary professional practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The members of the Sub-Department conduct research in the field of early and preschool education, collaborate with other higher education institutions, educational establishments, professional associations and civil society organisations, and promote knowledge in this field through scholarly and professional work as well as through public engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All members of the Sub-Department actively participate in academic and professional conferences in Croatia and abroad, and serve on various scientific, programme and organisational committees of conferences in the fields of pedagogy and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Ida Somolanji Toki\u0107, Assistant Professor, and Dr Tijana Borovac, Associate Professor, are the originators, initiators and principal organisers of the International Scientific Conference KOMPAS \u2013 Competent Systems in Early Childhood Education and Care<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All members are continuously engaged in the production of research and professional papers and publications. They collaborate in the preparation and implementation of research and professional projects and contribute regularly to the development of the ECEC profession through various forms of professional engagement. They also maintain close cooperation with the Education and Teacher Training Agency by chairing examination boards and delivering lectures at various professional events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Tijana Borovac, Associate Professor, and Dr Ida Somolanji Toki\u0107, Assistant Professor, serve as chairs of examination boards for the professional certification of trainee preschool teachers, while Dr Ida Somolanji Toki\u0107, Assistant Professor, also chairs examination boards for the certification of trainee pedagogues in preschool institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A notable contribution of the Sub-Department is its involvement in the development of professional qualification standards. Dr Tijana Borovac, Associate Professor, and Dr Ida Somolanji Toki\u0107, Assistant Professor, were members of the expert working group responsible for drafting a qualification standard at the higher education level. As a result, on 7 May 2024, the qualification standard for University Bachelor of Early and Preschool Education was officially entered into the Register of the Croatian Qualifications Framework, Sub-register of Qualification Standards<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Head of the sub-department<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n