The EFQM Model (European Foundation for Quality Management) 2025, a management framework focused on achieving sustainable excellence, can indeed be applied to early childhood settings. While it’s traditionally used in business and industry, the core principles of continuous improvement, innovation, and stakeholder engagement are highly adaptable to early childhood education. Here’s how it can be applied:

1. Leadership and Vision

• How it applies: Early childhood centers can develop strong leadership that promotes a clear vision for the center’s goals. Leaders should inspire staff to focus on quality education, well-being, and safety.

• Example: Creating a vision that emphasizes nurturing a child’s development while incorporating feedback from parents and the community.

2. Strategy and Purpose

• How it applies: Aligning the center’s educational goals with child development standards and the needs of the community.

• Example: Creating a strategic plan that outlines measurable goals, such as enhancing learning environments or implementing new educational methodologies.

3. Customer (Stakeholder) Focus

• How it applies: Stakeholders in early childhood settings include children, parents, staff, and regulatory bodies. Ensuring a child-centered approach that meets the developmental needs of children while engaging parents as key stakeholders.

• Example: Regular parent-teacher meetings and feedback loops to continuously improve the care and learning experiences.

4. People Engagement

• How it applies: Early childhood settings should focus on staff development and engagement, ensuring teachers and caregivers are motivated and trained in child development.

• Example: Continuous professional development programs for staff to improve teaching practices.

5. Processes and Systems

• How it applies: Establishing well-defined processes for daily activities, health, safety protocols, and educational programs.

• Example: Implementing a structured curriculum with regular assessments to track children’s progress and development.

6. Innovation and Learning

• How it applies: Encouraging innovative teaching techniques and learning methods that adapt to the needs of children.

• Example: Integrating technology into the classroom or adopting new child-centered educational frameworks like Montessori or Reggio Emilia.

7. Sustainable Outcomes

• How it applies: Focusing on long-term outcomes, such as children’s readiness for formal schooling, social-emotional development, and overall well-being.

• Example: Measuring the success of the center by the development milestones children reach and ensuring sustainability in resource use (e.g., eco-friendly toys, materials).

In short, the EFQM 2025 model helps early childhood settings maintain a culture of continuous improvement, driven by strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and systematic processes. Its adaptability lies in focusing on quality and sustainability, which are crucial in the development of young children.