The achievement of the following three objectives was the focus of the EduPASS project: 1. To develop a modular training program for future ECEs and YSCs which guarantees a high quality training throughout Europe. The training program includes core modules which reflect competence areas of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in a balanced structure. To ensure both theoretical and practical quality and relevance of the new program, various activities were carried out: (1) a comprehensive literature analysis, (2) a Delphi study in which experts from 23 European countries were consulted, and (3) two LTTs in which specific modules of the training program were presented. 2. To make the training program, a handbook and teaching materials available to stakeholders (e.g., ECEs, YSCs, ECE/YSC educators 3. To develop a valid and easy-to-use evaluation tool with which ECE and YSC training measures can be evaluated from both the perspective of the participants (students) and the lecturers.
The decisive factors for the EduPASS project were the following current developments or aspects: 1. Ongoing migration processes in EU-countries require focusing more intensively on early childhood development in a balanced whole before entering primary schools. Early childhood institutions need more attention as preparatory learning institutions in developing fundamental motor skills (FMS) through different non-formal and informal physical activities. 2. The lack of regular physical activity in childhood and the resulting need to increase children’s daily physical activity, movement and sports (PAMS) in primary school age through increased participation in extracurricular activities at sport clubs and in after-school programs at school. Informal physical activities offered by youth sport coaches at sport clubs or/and in after-school programs are essential to achieve a sufficient daily load of PAMS. 3. To ensure the quality of work of early childhood educators (ECEs) and youth sport coaches (YSCs), it was long overdue to develop a uniform training program across Europe with core modules which address not only the competence areas of knowledge and skills but also consider equally the attitudes and values of future ECEs and YSCs.