BenveNIDO: an innovative child/family-centered approach and intercultural practice in nursery school

The importance of early child development is established by many scientific studies: neuroscience demonstrates that early preventive intervention will be more efficient than remediation later in life. Caring and interactive relationships and positive learning experiences begin at home but can be also provided throughout the entire ecological systems of the child (Center on the Developing Child, 2007). During the first 1000 days of a child’s life, educational services play an important role in supporting and empowering parents to take care of their children (Health and Social Care Committee, 2019). This complexity is even greater when we talk about children with migratory backgrounds: cultural diversity and multilingualism pose new challenges for education from birth. Nursery schools play a fundamental role in early childhood development and support parenting. Thus, in Italy, participation policies are being promoted through national documents and specific grants, such as the innovative educationa project (with a child-centered approach in 0-3) promoted in the territories of Padua and Rovigo called BenveNIDO. It aims to guarantee equal development opportunities to 150 children's vulnerable families through free access to nursery school and a specific educational project realized by the University support (Council of the European Union, 2021). The project has a strong focus on parent involvement and its design provides educational training, 8 tutors for the 20 services involved with a researcher dedicated. To achieve an effective participation of foreign families it is important to create a good relationship and to realize a personalized educational project (Agostinetto, 2022). This paper analyzes the characteristics of educational projects specifically dedicated to families with a non-Italian to better understand their special needs and the educational actions designed by nursery educators to support them. Thus, this study aims to enhance intercultural education in nursery schools in order to support families with migratory background during the "incredible years" of their children.