Providing a unique and critical insight into some of the most significant issues affecting Early Years Policy, this book has chapters from leading authorities and researchers in the field and draws on current research, addresses key debates and considers international perspectives. Topics covered include: - policy making - poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion - promoting infant mental health - safeguarding and well-being - enhancing children′s potential - parenting policies and skills - national strategies versus professional autonomy - the marketisation of early years provision - democracy as a fundamental value in Early Years Taking a critical perspective and written in an accessible style, the book is relevant to all levels of Early Years courses, from Foundation Degree to Masters. The reader is encouraged to engage with debates and to develop their own views and opinions. With staggered levels of Further Reading, the editors and contributors provide a rich source of material that encourages reflection and promotes progression. Linda Miller is Professor Emeritus of Early Years, The Open University. Denise Hevey is Professor of Early Years, The University of Northampton.

How does early years policy impact on practitioners, children, settings and families? What are the implications of current policy for the future? How can early years professionals shape and craft practice in ways that genuinely focus on the needs of children and families, rather than the interests of policy makers? This exciting new text explores the changing context and increasing importance of early years policy. It takes a broad look at policy developments and shows how these have affected children, settings, parents and the early years workforce. Divided into two parts, the first examines theoretical perspectives and sets out the early years policy context, looking at issues surrounding accountability, international influences on policy and the Early Years Foundation Stage. The second half of the book directly shows how policy has influenced practice, and considers: the upskilling of the workforce and the impact of this on practitioners; the development of the learning environment including outdoor provision; sustained shared thinking and its link to high quality learning and teaching; the impact of policy on parents. Offering a fresh perspective on early years policy, this timely textbook will be essential reading for students on undergraduate and postgraduate Early Years and Childhood Studies courses and those working towards Early Years Teacher status.

A comprehensive and up to date text for all those required to understand early years’ policy and practice. It provides a succinct insight into key elements of the national and international political, economic and social agendas that influence and affect young children’s lives, and the impact of these on early years’ professional practice and provision. It provides a critical examination of policy development and its application within an historical and international context.

'This book is a gem! It sets out in a very straightforward and comprehensible way the vast framework of policy which shapes the nature of early years services in the UK today....This book should be on the reading list of all early years practitioners, multi-agency professionals and students as a timely reminder of the context in which they work' - Early Years Update 'This is a fabulous resource, with helpful and practical hints, tips and downloadable electronic resources....A truly invaluable resource for leaders and managers in any early years setting, or for those who are responsible for training members of the children's workforce' - Early Years Educator 'This is an excellent and accessible text which is useful to both practitioners and students. It clearly outlines developments in early years policy in recent years, placing it in its political and social context. The inclusion of policy developments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in this latest edition gives a new and broader perspective of policy in the United Kingdom than previously available in a single text. Students studying the topic at degree level will find the framework for analyzing the impact of policy particularly enlightening' - Sue O'Neill, Award Director FdA Management of Childcare Provision, Liverpool Hope University 'I predict that this book will quickly find a place on the book lists of colleges and universities around the country' - ESCalate 'This book is excellent. It is very easy to read and it starts with the basics, before allowing the reader to be more reflective' - Michelle Smith, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies and Early Years PGCE Covering the latest developments in early years policy, this book explores the processes of how policy is made, implemented, analysed and developed over time. It provides a complete overview of early years policy and evaluates its impact on practice, and it facilitates discussion and critical thinking around policy issues and policy development with the inclusion throughout the book of case studies, points for reflection and activities. There is suggested further reading and a short summary at the end of each chapter, and useful websites are cited. This second edition of a respected book has been substantially revised to include: - a new chapter on policy across England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland - discussion of the new Early Years Foundation Stage - recent developments in Special Educational Needs - a revised and updated timeline of early years legislation - new case studies, covering the Birth to Eight age range - a revised and updated Glossary Suitable for all early years students at all levels, and early years practitioners at any stage of their career, this book is a must-have for navigating the minefield of early years legislation.

"This accessible collection examines some of the most urgent policy issues facing early childhood care and education in the United States. Centering the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, chapters advance practice-based recommendations for how the nation's inequitable systems can be transformed"--

Previously known as Baldock: Understanding Early Years Policy is in its Fourth Edition. This best-selling textbook continues to provide fully updated coverage of all the latest developments in early years policy such as the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), SEND Code of Practice 0-25 years and the Children and Families Act 2014. Exploring how policy is made, implemented, analysed and developed over time this book presents a complete overview of early years policy and an evaluation of its ongoing impact on practice. This Fourth Edition has been significantly updated to include: Full coverage of the 2010-2015 UK Coalition Government. A comprehensive timeline of Early Years policy Guidance on how to research policy for yourself More international case studies, now including the US and Scandinavia. New material on how to manage policy changes as a practitioner An expandedfocus of the devolved countries within the UK This text is an essential read for early years students at all levels, and early years practitioners.

This timely collection provides an accessible discussion and analysis of some of the most urgent policy issues facing early childhood care and education in the United States: fragmented policy systems; broad disregard for early years professionals exemplified by low pay; standards that fail to increase equity; and overlooking the role community contexts plays in producing or ameliorating social inequalities among children. Contributors draw upon their deep personal experiences with these issues as educators, scholars, and advocates to advance practice-based recommendations for how the nation’s inequitable systems can be transformed. Their call to collective action is supported by an accessible and powerful advocacy toolkit that will grow with readers over time and with practice. The text centers the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, with a clear focus on the effects of systemic racism, ageism, sexism, classism, and associated oppressions on early years policies and programs in the U.S. Book Features: Concise essays that acknowledge the demands on contemporary readers’ time.Authors that represent a cross section of educators, advocates, researchers, and leaders who are in dialogue with each other. Personal stories that illustrate how policies and systems affect people, making an urgent case for transforming early care and education policies.A call for action that includes tools for linking personal reflection to collective action. Contributors include Lea Austin, Stephanie Curenton, Kerry Ann Escayg, Lucinda Heimer, Iheoma Iruka, Jacqueline Jones, Anna Lees, and Chrishana Lloyd.

Providing a unique and critical insight into some of the most significant issues affecting early years education, this book draws on current research, addresses key debates, and considers international perspectives. Topics covered include: policy making; poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion; promoting infant mental health; safeguarding and well-being; enhancing children's potential; parenting policies and skills; and national strategies versus professional autonomy.

This timely book reveals how policies of childcare and early childhood education influence children’s circumstances and the daily lives of families with children. Examining how these policies are approached, it focuses particularly on the issues and pitfalls related to equal access.

Asking key questions about how policies and systems impact on children’s early years and rethinking the ways in which young children’s learning and development becomes integral to policy, this insightful text challenges the common misconception that policy development and pedagogical implementation are separate endeavours. Challenging the Intersection of Policy with Pedagogy explores symbiotic dynamics between policy and practice in the early years to consider the implications of policies relating to documentation, professional well-being, mentoring, the role of the family, language development and diversity. Written to provoke group discussion and extend thinking, opportunities for international comparison, points for reflection and editorial provocations will help students, educators, integrated service providers and policy makers engage critically with a variety of understandings of how policy and practice interact. Considering the role of learning environment, the practitioner, the wider community and policy, chapters are divided into four key sections which reflect major influences on practice and pedagogy: Being alongside children Those who educate Embedding families and communities Working with systems Considering diverse settings and contexts, perspectives, policies and systems, this text will enhance understanding, support self-directed learning and provoke and transform thinking at both graduate and postgraduate levels, particularly in the field of early childhood education and care.