Professional Child Protection in Carinthian Elementary Education

Through the participatory involvement of representatives from the field of early years education and relevant training institutions, an initial draft of content has been developed for a child protection framework for early years education in Carinthia. This is currently being refined and updated under external guidance and with sub-working groups to focus on five key areas, thereby providing theoretical building blocks to all early years education settings in Carinthia, which they can use to develop sustainable, setting-specific child protection policies over the next four years . To this end, information sessions are being held for all heads of institutions across Carinthia, and there are tailored training events. The Carinthian Child Education and Care Act (K-KBBG) sets out how the mandatory development and implementation of child protection policies must take place. In parallel, an external study has been commissioned to assess the current state of child protection in Carinthia’s early years education; the results are expected in the first half of 2026 in the form of a final report and are intended to form the basis for the further specific direction of the child protection initiative.