Strategy for Early
and Preschool
Education in
Montenegro
(2016-2020)

Process
• Participatory
• Analytical
• Consultancy by the UNICEF
Office to Montenegro

Introduction
• The Heckman curve
- Return on Investment
• PISA (2009)– the link between attending preschool and student attainment
• Compliance with relevant European and international standards
• Increasing preschool coverage
• „Study on Invesitng in Early Education in Montenegro”
• „Review of infrastructural capacities, coverage and teaching staff of
preschools”

State of play
Achievements

• Increased coverage.
• Majority – full day programmes
• New programmes.
• New preschools: Podgorica, Žabljak, Budva, Tivat,
Nikšić, Bijelo Polje.
• Early intervention in resource centres.
• RE children – regular attendance, pre-preschool in 8
different preschools
• Interactive services.
13176
14329 14592 15068
15913
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

• Licenced private establishments
• Book and toy resource packs –
RE communities, Parent Association
• Preschool for All campaign
• Action Plans for five local self-
governments
• Construction: Pljevlja, Ulcinj, Bar i
Podgorica: Stari aerodrom, Blok VI,
Zagorič and Tuzi as the borough of
Podgorica

Preschool education: Challenges

• Difference in access and coverage - 19% rural, 55% urban areas.
• Group size varies.
• Great dispersion in some areas
• Awareness among parents of the importance of attending preschools
Municipality Preschool No of children No of educational
units
No of
groups
Andrijevica Bajo Jojić 29 1 3
Bar Vukosava Ivanović-Mašanović 843 8 27
Berane Radmila Nedić 421 3 18
Bijelo Polje Dušo Basekić 781 10 34
Budva Ljubica V. Jovanović-Maše 841 4 29
Cetinje Zagorka Ivanović 541 2 19
Danilovgrad Irena Radović 397 4 12
Herceg Novi Naša radost 994 5 28
Kolašin Sestre Radović 149 1 6
Kotor Radost 755 7 30
Mojkovac Jevrosima Rabrenović-Jevra 140 1 5
Nikšić Dragan Kovačević 1519 21 65
Plav Dječiji vrtić 223 3 8
Pljevlja Eko bajka 414 3 17
Plužine JU Obrazovni centar - Plužine 37 1 2
Podgorica Ljubica Popović 3259 9 84
Đina Vrbica 3488 11 87
Rožaje Boško Buha 171 1 7
Tivat Bambi 605 3 20
Ulcinj Solidarnost 330 4 13
Šavnik Obrazovni centar 18 1 1

• 3-hour programme
• Adequate space
• Standards
• Social inclusion
• Intra- and inter-sectoral
cooperation
• Data collection and use
• Fee payable by parents
• Increased budget allocation

Guiding principle – Ensure that developmental needs of all children aged 0 to school entry
age are met through properly programmed and infrastructure supported services delivered
by competent professionals and staff, with active involvement of communities and parents
Objective 1) Increase preschool coverage
to all children, particularly those aged 3
to 6 in line with international standards
Objective 2) Improve preschool service
quality
Objective 3) Introduce innovative,
optimised and sustainable funding
models

Principles

• Research and best practices
• Learning through play
• Life-long learning
• Quality of teaching
Evidence-based and
service quality
•Cooperation within and among sectors –support and services aligned
•Integrated, directed, coordinated activities
•3-hour preschool programme available
•Integration - RE population, welfare institutions and rural areas
•Early identification and intervention programmes.
Service integration,
individualisation and
accessibility
•Parents, communities, decision-makers, employers and other
stakeholders
•Clear roles and responsibilities, transparent and ongoing
communication
•Provide information on the relevance, value and importance of early
learning
Participation and shared
responsibility
•Innovative models, alternative programmes
•New, alternative, adapted, appealing, safe, equipped and creative
rooms and buildings
•Financial restructuring, collection of fees from parents and grants
Innovation and
sustainability

Elaborated objectives

a) Construction; renovation; alternative spaces:
regional primary schools, other public and/or private
buildings
b) Expand interactive services and book and toy
resource packs
c) Innovative and flexible educational programmes (3-
hour programme, different schedules)
d) Intensive free-of-charge integration of RE children
e) Better detection and response to needs of children
with special educational needs
f) Develop programmes for active involvement of
parents
g) Gather and use data within and among sectors
OBJECTIVE 1:
Increase preschool
coverage to all
children, particularly
those aged 3 to 6 in
line with international
standards

a) Develop age-appropriate, inspiring, good quality,
integrated and accessible programmes and services
for all children
b) Improved basic and advanced professional
competences of current and future practitioners
c) Improved support, monitoring, supervision and
advisory services for the staff
d) Develop quality standards and indicators for
monitoring service impacts and results
OBJECTIVE 2:
Improve preschool
service quality

a) Consider the possibilities for increasing the budget
allocation for preschool education
b) PPPs for improving the range of programmes
offered
c) Restructure and improve collection of fees payable
by parents
d) Self-funded programmes
e) Promote the role and relevance of preschool
education, overall participation and investments
OBJECTIVE 3:
Introduce innovative,
optimised and
sustainable funding
models

Thank you for your attention!