Competence Requirements in Early Childhood Education and Care (CoRe)

There is a broad consensus among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers that the quality of early childhood services – and ultimately the outcomes for children and families – depends on well- educated, experienced and ‘competent’ staff. But what exactly makes a competent early childhood practitioner? How can competence be understood, and its development supported, in the highly complex and demanding field of working professionally with young children, families and communities? What approaches do different countries take, and what lessons can be learnt from practices developed by practitioners, training institutions and policymakers across Europe? This report presents the findings of a European research project jointly conducted by the University of East London (UEL) and the University of Ghent (UGent). The ‘study on competence requirements in early childhood education and care’ (CoRe) explored conceptualisations of ‘competence’ and professionalism in early childhood practice, and identified systemic conditions for developing, supporting and maintaining competence in all layers of the early childhood system. The European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture commissioned the research conducted between January 2010 and May 2011. In the light of the research findings, and intensive consultation with key stakeholders in ECEC in Europe, CoRe has developed policy recommendations, which are also part of this report. The aim of CoRe is to provide policy-relevant information, advice and case studies with regard to the competences required for the ECEC workforce and how to support competence development from a systemic perspective. In order to achieve its aims, CoRe has conducted original research, reviewed previous work and international literature, and consulted with experts in the field over a period of 15 months. In this report, we present the findings of the different but interrelated strands of this process which underpin the policy recommendations regarding systemic competence development and professionalisation in early childhood education and care in Europe. By providing informed views on the questions at stake we hope to initiate discussion, to provoke new thinking, and to encourage new questions

Antibodies to purified renal tubular epithelial antigens contain activity against laminin, fibronectin, and type IV collagen.

Antibodies directed against tubular brush border antigens (RTE) are used to induce heterologous immune-complex nephritis. Among these antigens a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 330 kilodaltons (gp330) has been shown to be of pathogenetic significance. We investigated whether antibodies other than those directed against gp330 are present in anti-RTE and whether they play a pathogenetic role. By using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques and Western blotting, we investigated polyclonal antibodies directed not only against crude RTE but also against RTEgp, a purified glycoprotein fraction of RTE, with respect to activity against glomerular basement membrane (GBM) components laminin, fibronectin, and type IV collagen. Both antibody preparations showed reactivity predominantly to the 220 kilodaltons subunit of laminin. Lower but nevertheless distinct reactivity to fibronectin and type IV collagen was also found. The antibody fraction directed against components of the GBM, which was isolated from anti-RTE IgG by affinity chromatography, showed linear binding to the GBM in indirect immunofluorescence studies. Injection of these antibodies into the renal artery also led to linear binding to the GBM with linear deposition of complement factors 3 and 9 and induced a weak and transient proteinuria. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed binding of the antibodies to glomerular epithelial and endothelial cell surfaces adjacent to the GBM. Injection of anti-RTE antibody absorbed to GBM components resulted in binding of antibodies and complement factors 3 and 9 in a fine granular pattern along the GBM, whereas injection of unabsorbed anti-RTE led to a course granular pattern. We conclude that the presence of antibodies (cross-)reacting with laminin, fibronectin, and type IV collagen in anti-RTE antibody has pathogenetic effects and could explain differences in pathogenicity between monospecific anti-gp330 antibody and polyclonal anti-RTE antibody