Step by Step Program | History
This book examines the transformative journey of the Open Society Foundations Step by Step program in Europe and Eurasia, which inspired the establishment of non-governmental organizations and the International Step by Step Association. Step by Step emerged as a powerful force for democratic reform through early childhood education (ECE) during the social and political transitions that followed the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Rooted in the core beliefs of investing in people and fostering civil society, Step by Step grew into a regional movement for child-centered, family and community-focused, inclusive education.
The early childhood education landscape in former communist-led countries grew out of the need to enable women’s participation in the workforce and a wish to promote children’s development and instill collective values. Services varied widely across the region, however, the collapse of the Soviet Union and of economies in Eastern and Central Europe ushered in economic crises, leading to infrastructure decay and challenges sustaining kindergartens. Step by Step jumped in to help rebuild early education systems in Central Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, introducing and strengthening democratic values and practices.
Implementing Step by Step necessitated the collaboration of dedicated individuals capable of driving systemic change within education systems. Open Society leveraged its network of independent national foundations to assemble and support teams of local experts to lead the program in each country and to establish close partnerships with participating governments. Drawing on leadership from Georgetown University and inspiration and expertise from the Head Start program in the US, Step by Step aimed to revolutionize early childhood education in the region by prioritizing child-centered approaches, parent involvement and democratic and equitable values.
Effective communication and community engagement were emphasized, paving the way for Step by Step to gain traction and catalyze a shift towards inclusive practices. The program's impact extended far beyond education, challenging marginalization and exclusion, particularly benefiting groups like Roma children and integrating children with disabilities into mainstream education. Despite obstacles such as war and political pressure, Step by Step facilitated reconciliation and sustained systemic reform, embodying a collective commitment to children's rights and social justice.
The book describes the program's vertical expansion within education systems, starting with preschools and extending downwards to infant and toddler programs and upwards to primary schools and relevant in-service and pre-service academic and vocational training programs. Ultimately, Step by Step expanded its geographic reach from the initial fifteen countries that launched Step by Step in 1994-95, to more than thirty countries, including to complementary initiatives in Argentina, Haiti, Liberia, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Expansion was possible because of close partnerships with national governments, international agencies and donors, including USAID, the World Bank and UNICEF. In 1999, participating countries launched the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), which has played a pivotal role in creating quality standards and professional development frameworks for ECE in Europe and Eurasia. ISSA's journey towards independence and growth underscore its role as a recognized advocate for democratic values in ECE, collaborating closely with ministries, the European Union, international agencies and civil society organizations.
Overall, the book offers reflections on Step by Step's journey, highlighting the importance of sustained efforts, adaptability amid diverse political landscapes, and the importance of investing in people, specifically educators and parents, to shift mindsets and catalyze systemic change. It reinforces the value of thinking big and taking risks, of striving to create visionary programs for young children and families during periods of social and political transition. It underscores the transformative potential of early childhood education in shaping democratic societies, the power of women-led initiatives, and the need to maintain an unwavering commitment to social justice and inclusive practices over many years, despite overwhelming obstacles. Ultimately, the book offers valuable lessons for policy makers and professionals from foundations, NGOs, educators, academics, and other key stakeholders involved in shaping early childhood education.
To access a good overview of the Step by Step program, see Chapter 3 of the book, or read this article, Stepping into the Future: A History of the Step by Step Program, published on the 10th Anniversary of the program.
