Interprofessional collaboration in ECEC: A review of European countries with different levels of system integration

In various European countries, there is significant variation in the level of early childhood education and care (ECEC) system integration. In these countries, in which the level of system integration varies from split to integrated systems, there is a growing interest in interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between ECEC, school, and family support (family services, welfare, and child protection services) to offer integrated services for children and their families. In a realist review of six countries with varying levels of ECEC system integration (in descending order of integration: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands), we analyzed the literature related to IPC between professionals from ECEC, school, and family support. The review showed various IPC mechanisms, including barriers and facilitators, for professionals working in ECEC who face similar challenges in achieving pedagogical continuity and offering integrated services in different countries.