We are conducting an action research with employees of childcare centre Mezennestje (P9 -in collaboration with the associated partner, advocay poverty organisation Mensen voor Mensen NGO) and pre- and primary school Kolva (P10 -Sint-Maartensinstituut, Moorselbaan). This action research is facilitated and guided by VBJK, a Centre for Innovation in the Early Years (P4). Basing ourselves on the literature review (o1) and problem analysis previously conducted by many stakeholders, we are focusing on how to create a warm and inclusive transition for a diversity of children and families, including societal disadvantaged children . Since in Belgium preschool education often starts from the assumption that all children have attended childcare, we specifically ask ourselves how ECEC services can work together and learn from each other to take care of a diversity of children & families with different previous experiences at all times, irrespective of their cultural or socio-economical background.

Monthly we have been discussing what the problems are in transition and which actions can be undertaken and how to follow-up and evaluate these actions. Since Belgium is characterized between a historical split between childcare and preschool, the first two meetings were focused in childcare workers and preschool teachers getting to know each other so they could collaborate better in future. Based on this input and the visits to the ECEC centers and primary schools, we developed 9 common principles that our casestudy will be based on:

1. We respect each child in his/her identity and give them all possible changes in the transition.
2. We approach children and parents positively and personalized: strengths and forces of children and parents are at the core
3. We want to ensure a gradual and comfortable transition for children and parents.
4. By encounter and dialogue we build a trust relationship with parents.
5. We actively involve parents in the transitional process
6. By an open and warm reception, children and parents can feel welcome
7. We support and strengthen each other to take actions in transition
8. We unite our forces to establish continuity in the upbringing process of children
9. We fine tune our organizational policies with respect for the singularity of each organisation.