Science of Education Within Participatory Model of Knowledge Development

The Faculty of Education of the University of Primorska has developed an innovative model for ensuring the sustainable quality of early childhood education while fostering the development of new knowledge and pedagogical approaches through a participatory partnership with the public kindergarten and the local municipality. The model of the Research and Development Unit of Early Childhood Education of the Faculty of Education (RA-RA) was designed with the aim of integrating (1) research activities in the field of early childhood education, (2) professional development of early childhood professionals, (3) quality assurance in early childhood education, and (4) dialogical participation of all stakeholders and partners in early childhood education and care, including children, the local community, parents, preschool leadership, preschool teachers, and higher education researchers/teachers. This paper presents the theoretical foundations, objectives, and guiding principles of the RA-RA model.