Quality and Professionalism in the Early Childhood Field - Romania

This week we were asked to discuss quality and professionalism in the early childhood field with our international contacts.  I had the opportunity to pose the following questions to Theresa Creel, early childhood leader and professional advocate for children in Romania:

1. What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionalism are being discussed in Romania?

Poverty is the primary issue affecting quality. There is virtually no middle class, and while schools are available for kindergarten and up, many cannot afford school supplies in rural areas. Schools are not well maintained in a number of poorer areas. Preschool is not available in public schools. Nutrition has an impact for prenatal care and also childhood development, which includes physical as well as cognitive and emotional development. Other social problems, such as alcoholism and spousal abuse affect families and children. Although Romania has become part of the European Union, the economic problems in Western Europe are even worse in Eastern Europe. Romania still has orphanages and only last year begin to permit international adoptions after numerous years of not allowing them; the adoptions are only for relatives of the children. Children with disabilities are in more jeopardy as far as early childhood opportunities. One school in Oradea, Romania--Casa Minunanta, does provide excellent high quality early childhood education and care and successfully integrates children with disabilities into their program. However, this type of professionalism and program is extremely rare in Romania.

2. Do opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

This varies depending on location in Romania, rural versus major cities. While there are more opportunities for professional development in some of the larger cities, such as Timisoara, most areas have limited access to professional development. The exception is private schools, such as the German schools in Timisoara, Romania. These are tuition based and run by Western Europeans. Several private Christian schools also provide more professional development. One of the problems in Romania regarding its entire educational system is bribes. By that, I mean students pay extra on the side to get through the system successfully (this is also typical in the medical clinics and hospitals). Romania is very open to others coming in and assisting. More research is needed to assess the needs of the early childhood professionals in Romania.

3. What are some of your personal professional goals?

I want to focus on leadership development primarily to help other leaders "spread their own capabilities." I am particularly interested in helping those living in poverty through education.

4.  What are some of your professional hopes, dreams and challenges?

Education provides opportunity, even for the underprivileged. I think my biggest hope is to practically help people in need and to inspire others to do so as well. I dream of children having loving families and believe every child deserves the best. The challenge is that there are so many children who do not have loving families or even enough to eat or a quality education. While there are so many thousands, maybe continuing to help those I can and inspiring others to help will address some of the challenges.

My thoughts in response to Ms. Creel's answers are that even though there are many challenges facing the professionalism of the early childhood field in Romania, leaders like Ms. Creel are doing whatever they can to make an impact and to help influence positive changes there.  She is a very committed and knowledgeable professional that is sharing her passion and love for children in an amazing way.  I am very inspired by her advocacy and determination to make a difference.