Pedagogical documentation and legislative framework of early childhood education and care in Croatia

Abstract

The importance and value of pedagogical documentation in the Re[1]public of Croatia is emphasized by the National Curriculum for Early and Pre[1]school Education (OG 01/15). However, in practice there is a different under[1]standing of it, which is a reflection of the theory and practice divide. The divide is perpetuated by other acts and regulations that govern different segments of the educational system. This paper seeks to define pedagogical documentation in the light of the contemporary paradigm of early and preschool education and presents the content of current acts, standards and regulations regarding the definition of pedagogical documentation in relation to the National Cur[1]riculum. Although the harmonization of content around the definition of basic concepts does not guarantee their understanding and application in practice, it provides the same starting point needed for systematic quality change. Given that these are basic documents that regulate the work of educational institu[1]tions and have direct implications on quality, their compliance with each other and with modern theory is necessary.