The University of Cyprus is the leading public university located in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. Established in 1989, UCY has grown into a modern and dynamic institution with a strong academic and research profile. The University is strongly committed to excellence in education and research, promoting scientific thought, diversity, inclusiveness, equity, and creativity. UCY is consistently recognised at an international level and included in major global university rankings. The University of Cyprus contributes to the project through its Department of Education, which promotes quality and equity in education through excellence in educational research, teacher education, and the development of innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and educational practice.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki stands as the largest university in Greece, offering a comprehensive range of Faculties and Schools that cover a wide range of scientific fields, from natural and technological sciences to social and health sciences, as well as arts and humanities. Comprising 12 Faculties, 42 Schools and 289 Laboratories, the University actively engages in research projects, participates in European research programmes and projects, collaborates with international institutions and organizations, and attracts distinguished researchers from both Greece and abroad. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki contributes to the EDUPLAY project through its School of Early Childhood Education, established 25 years ago, which consistently strives to advance research in early childhood education, offer courses aligned with labour market demands, provide students with training directly related to their primary field of study, and cooperate with foreign institutions and agencies.
The Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P.PORTO) is one of the largest higher education institutions in Portugal. The P.Porto brings together approximately 20,000 students, academics and researchers across eight Schools, with programmes in areas spanning Education, Health, Sports, Engineering, Science and Technology, Management and the Arts. P.Porto hosts 24 research centres, including FCT-funded R&D Units and collaborative research branches, providing a robust research ecosystem, critical mass and institutional support for scientific excellence. The School of Education (ESE-P.PORTO) plays a central role in teacher education, social education, sports and related fields, offering undergraduate and master’s programmes, as well as a joint doctoral programme in Education developed in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). ESE-P.PORTO also maintains a strong commitment to continuing professional development, delivering accredited training programmes for teachers, early childhood educators and other education professionals, reinforcing its close connection to educational practice and lifelong learning. Within this institutional framework, the Centre for Research and Innovation in Education (inED) is a multidisciplinary research centre that brings together researchers from education, psychology, social sciences and related domains, fostering interdisciplinary and applied research in education. Its core research areas include early childhood education and care, teacher education and professional development, social education and social challenges, inclusion and special educational needs. A defining feature of inED is its strong practice-oriented and socially engaged research agenda, promoting systematic links between scientific knowledge, educational practice and policy development, and enhancing the relevance and societal impact of research outcomes.
IPABO University of Applied Sciences is a specialised university for (prospective) professionals in childcare and primary education for children aged 0 to 12. Each year, around 1,200 students enrol at our campuses in Amsterdam and Alkmaar to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education or an Associate degree as Pedagogical Educational Professional. In addition, IPABO offers a wide range of continuing education courses and two Master’s programmes. IPABO works closely with seven other universities of applied sciences in education and care in the Netherlands within the Radiant network.
IPABO University of Applied Sciences is a value‑driven and knowledge‑driven organisation that promotes dialogue between different worldviews and stands for inclusion. Its mission is to contribute to the quality and innovation of primary education and childcare, with diversity as a strength and starting point for education.
In close collaboration with the professional field, students are supported in developing their personal professional qualities for education and practice‑oriented research. Guiding principles in education and research include play‑based and inquiry‑based learning, equal opportunities, and basic subjects as a functional part of children’s daily lives and critical citizenship. Within this vision, quality education enables children to experience strong connections between home, school and the wider world, and to acquire the knowledge, skills and insights needed to participate critically and responsibly. Strong childcare and education promote equal opportunities and challenge systems that reinforce inequality, requiring reflection on values and beliefs and their translation into concrete action.
The VYTAUTO DIDŽIOJO UNIVERSITETAS is recognized as one of the top 3% of universities in the world and is the only university in the country to offer arts and sciences programs based on the principles of the artes liberales. Its nine faculties and three academies offer 44 bachelor’s degree programs (14 of which are in English), 67 master’s degree programs (29 of which are in English), nine postgraduate programs, integrated law studies, and 24 doctoral programs in various fields of science.
VMU is a comprehensive university devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, research, arts and innovation, and fostering critical thinking, imaginative response as well as the desire and capacity for lifelong learning of our students who will have an impact on the world, locally and globally.
The APEI – Association of Early Childhood Education Professionals is an independent organisation, active since 1981, which for 45 years has been helping to transform Early Childhood Education in Portugal, promoting educational quality, professional recognition and pedagogical innovation, guided by the vision “No teacher left behind”.
APEI holds the status of Public Utility Institution since 2007, is part of the National Education Council, and is a recognised partner of the Ministry of Education, contributing to the recommendation and support of educational policies for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
APEI’s mission is to be a space for participation and sustained support for the development of early childhood education professionals, strengthening professional identity and reflective, ethically grounded practice. Its core values include a commitment to educational quality, professional appreciation, ethics, inclusion and equity, cooperation and the sharing of knowledge, as well as innovation and research.
With a strong national and international presence, APEI brings together over 5,000 members and has delivered an extensive training and scientific programme: more than 1,000 training initiatives between 2018 and 2024, reaching around 25,000 participants, as well as over 100 seminars and professional meetings across the country, involving more than 120 researchers and more than 15,000 attendees.
APEI’s recognised publishing programme, including the journal Notebooks of Early Childhood Education (Cadernos de Educação de Infância), features over 40 published books, ensuring access to knowledge and the dissemination of good practices. In parallel, APEI develops projects and partnerships, including initiatives such as the Sparkle Project, reinforcing its role in professional development, reflection and the transformation of practices in early childhood education.
The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute It is the main body responsible for in-service professional development of ECEC teachers’ in Cyprus. Its work focuses on the following main axes: offering in-service training to teachers at all levels, with various compulsory programmes and optional seminars; planning and conducting educational research and evaluation studies; monitoring and documenting current trends in pedagogy; ensuring the writing and publication of books of educational interest, the design and production of teaching materials, the publication of textbooks.
The University of Cyprus Nursery and Kindergarten “Lito Papachristoforou” is a university-based early childhood education setting that provides education and care for children from infancy to kindergarten. The school is grounded in a child-centred pedagogical philosophy that views children as capable, active learners with a past, a present, and a future. Learning is primarily supported through play, which is considered the main means through which children explore the world, develop skills, build relationships, and construct knowledge. Through pedagogical practices that value children’s rights, listening, relationships, and interaction, the school creates rich learning environments that encourage exploration, participation, problem-solving, and the expression of children’s ideas. Emphasis is placed on social, emotional, and cognitive development, as well as on the creation of meaningful relationships within a community of children, educators, and families.
The 92nd Kindergarten of Thessaloniki is an early childhood education center located in the Ano Toumba area of Thessaloniki, housed in its own modern two-story building since 2018. With classes serving both the compulsory morning program and optional all-day program, the kindergarten is committed to fostering curiosity, creativity and play through a variety of activities, events and educational projects shared on is blog throughout the school year. The school actively participates in eTwinning programs and activities that offer children the opportunity to interact with peers in Europe and engage in thinking about critical social issues.
The 44th Kindergarten of Thessaloniki is co-located with the 33rd Primary School of Thessaloniki, within the premises of the Children’s Home, the most historic institution in the city. What distinguishes the 44th Kindergarten is its yard, which features a crafted landscape design with natural materials and playful pathways that encourage exploration and movement and create a stimulating outdoor environment for both children and educators. The setting’s vision is to create a school environment that will support all members of the school community (students, teachers, parents, support staff) in developing attitudes, skills and values that define and define the profile of an active citizen in a democratic society, where everyone is accepted, without exclusion.
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Education Academy Kindergarten “Mažųjų akademija,” located in purpose-built facilities at T. Ševčenkos g. 31 in Vilnius, provides early childhood education for children aged 1.5–6. The kindergarten offers a modern, innovative learning environment tailored to the developmental needs of 21st-century children. It operates three mixed-age groups: Group I (1.5–3 years), Group II (3–4 years), and Group III (5–6 years), with group organization based on children’s individual needs and abilities.
The kindergarten’s vision is to nurture each child’s talents and creativity while ensuring safe, joyful, and harmonious development. Its mission is to build a learning community grounded in partnership with families, enabling children to grow as curious, creative, healthy, and socially competent learners. At the same time, the institution aims to contribute to the preparation of high-quality preschool teachers through the application of innovative educational practices.
“Mažųjų akademija” fulfills a threefold role: it is a modern preschool, a practical training base for students and teachers, and a center for educational research. Close collaboration with the academic community of the VMU Education Academy enables the implementation of research-based innovations, supports bachelor’s and master’s studies, and enriches children’s learning through the involvement of student teachers in everyday educational practice.
“Istorijų Namai” is a private kindergarten that has been operating in Kaunas for six years. It is one of the few kindergartens in Lithuania based on play pedagogy and the first to extensively implement the narrative play method. Narrative play is a novel concept both in Lithuania and internationally. This innovative early education approach is based on creating a world of stories and imagination, where challenges are developed for children and adults to solve together. Dr. Giedrė Sujetaitė-Volungevičienė, the founder of Istorijų Namai Kindergarten, has also contributed to the development of this method. Her scientific work focuses on children’s play and self-regulation.
The kindergarten integrates play and outdoor pedagogy with extensive reading, fostering the creation of diverse stories and imaginative scenarios. Each child’s progress is monitored through changes in play and the development of self-regulation skills. Children learn to recognize emotions through an emotional intelligence program. The kindergarten values nature, sustainability, and citizenship, and follows the principles of the Reggio Emilia pedagogical philosophy.
