Bart Declercq is a senior researcher at the Centre for Experiential Education, KU Leuven (Belgium) with more than 20 years of experience in early childhood research with a particular focus on quality assessment, process quality and continuous professional development from a process-oriented perspective. He coordinates and implements research, development, support, training and coaching regarding quality insurance and monitoring of pedagogical quality both in Belgium and abroad. He has worked intensely with several local counties. He is since 2011 involved in MeMoQ: Measuring and Monitoring Pedagogical Quality in Early Childhood (0-3 years) commissioned by the Flemish agency for Public Health, Welfare and Family’. He is co-author of several self-evaluation instruments to improve the process quality, practice-based books for professionals, the Flemish pedagogical framework and scientific articles. Since 2009 he is active as a thematic specialist in quality assurance in Mentes, a
supporting structure for small childcare providers. Between 2006 and 2012 he collaborated in a project between the Flemish Government for Education, the Department of Education of the Free State and the University of the Free State to develop and implement the Free State pre-grade R curriculum (0-4 years), contributed in the Saraece 2017 Workshop on the ECCE programme framework and qualification development for initial teacher education and the Saraece conference 2021. In 2019 he conducted an Equity-focused mid-term evaluation on VVVOB South Africa’s programs on Leading and Teaching for Diversity, South Africa (Pretoria – Durban – Bloemfontein). In the nineties and early 2000, Bart stayed several times all over Southern Africa due to an exchange programme (which lasted for 6 years) between Chirojeugd Vlaanderen and Chiro Southern Africa. He regards this as a wonderful experience.