Early Childhood and Family Care Services between University and Community: the case of the Bambini Bicocca Foundation

Abstract

This study examines a case of Third Mission activities initiated with the establishment of the Nido Bambini Bicocca in 2005, expanded through the launch of the Infant School in 2017, and further developed in 2019 with the creation of the Bambini Bicocca Spin-Off, a socially-oriented enterprise, culminating in its transformation into a Social Enterprise Foundation in December 2024. The Bambini Bicocca Early Childhood Center fulfills a public service role with four key objectives: serving as a hub for experimentation and research in early childhood pedagogy; providing welfare services to both the university community and corporate entities within the district; fostering continuity between the initial training of educators, teachers, and pedagogists, their induction into the workforce, and ongoing professional development; and contributing to the expansion of the local service system through agreements and accreditation with the Municipality of Milan. Early childhood institutions are envisioned as social forums and participatory spaces where values, knowledge, and practices are negotiated among diverse stakeholders, shaping their cultural identity. These institutions represent a potential embodiment of democracy and shared responsibility in the education of young citizens. This study discusses the challenges, critical issues, and sustainability prospects of this initiative, with a dual focus on managerial-organizational and pedagogical-political dimensions.