For all those working in Early Years, improving quality experiences for all young children is a priority. By examining issues surrounding quality improvement, the importance of reflective practice and the attributes required in the workplace to effect change and leadership, this book provides a contemporary view of practice. Chapters focus on how settings can improve quality experiences for young children and how to implement strategies that lead to quality improvement. Issues covered include: - multi-disciplinary working - evaluating impact through reflective practice - creativity, digital technologies and play - safeguarding young children - leading practice and leading change - working with parents - improving the quality of student experience This text allows students and practitioners to examine and reflect on practises that lead to creative Quality Improvement Strategies (QIS) in Early Years settings. Michael Reed is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Worcester, Institute of Education: Centre for Early Childhood Natalie Canning is a Lecturer in Early Years at The Open University.

Covering all routes to early years teaching, this essential textbook provides students and practitioners with everything they need to know to deliver outstanding Early Years practice. Previously titled Achieving Early Years Professional Status, this new edition is completely revised to include recent research and practice guidance for those studying: - Early Years Teacher Status - Teach First Early Years - Early Years Educator - Early Years PGCE New case studies, illustrating best practice, make this text highly relevant for experienced professionals teaching and leading practice in Early Years settings and schools, and anyone interested in helping Early Years children learn and develop. Denise Reardon, Dilys Wilson and Dympna Fox Reed will be discussing ideas from Early Years Teaching and Learning in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie.

In the early years sector all practitioners are now expected to engage in work-based research, as a means of improving practice and demonstrating leadership. Using examples from recent practitioner projects, this text offers a ′real world′ approach to research consistent with models that involve the active participation of children and families. With the aim of clarifying themes and concepts for inexperienced researchers, the text explores ethical principles underpinning research, supported by case studies, which will be of particular relevance to students undertaking their own small-scale investigations. Further reading on research methodology is also included. Chapters are organized under three headings: - planning for research; - doing research; - learning from research. This book provides practitioners and undergraduates with a greater understanding of the position of the researcher, how to facilitate research and the way in which research underpins raising achievement and change in the workplace. There is an emphasis on impact of research on practice, illustrated through reflection on the authors′ experience of preparing this text. Sue Callan is an Associate Lecturer with the Open University. Michael Reed is a Senior Lecturer on the BA Early Childhood Studies at the University of Worcester.

Globally, Early Years policies and documents have set out aspirational outcomes and benefits for children, their families and the wider society. These policies have emphasised the place of early childhood provision within the wider global agenda, by tackling inequality and disadvantage early on in children’s lives. However, these strategies have also raised further debates regarding the way they have informed and shaped curricula frameworks and pedagogical approaches. The international team of contributors to this book argue that if these issues are not explicitly acknowledged, understood, critiqued and negotiated, emerging policies and documents may potentially lead to disadvantaging, marginalising and even pathologising certain childhoods. Divided into two parts, the volume demonstrates the dialectic nature of both policy and practice. The chapters in this wide-ranging text: explore and articulate the philosophical premises and values that underpin current early childhood policy, curricula and pedagogies explicitly acknowledge and articulate some of potential conflicts and challenges they present provide examples of divergent and creative pedagogical thinking highlight opportunities for enabling pedagogical cultures and encounters. Debates on Early Childhood Policies and Practices is aimed at a wide readership including academics and researchers in early years education, policy makers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, practitioners and early childhood professionals.

This book introduces an intriguing juxtaposition of "caring" alongside "effective", and it is a thought-provoking book. Including examples of early years leaders on their own reflective learning journeys, it provides a rich source of ideas for relational leadership that are firmly based in research and professional experience.′ - Professor Margaret Carr, University of Waikato, New Zealand Effective and caring leadership is an essential part of raising standards and increasing the quality of learning in early childhood settings. This book explains leadership practices that can make a positive difference to the provision offered and improve outcomes for both children and families. With theoretical, practical and research-informed perspectives, this book: Uses case studies to provide examples of effective leadership Integrates education and care with key practices in effective leadership Explores directional, collaborative, empowering and pedagogical leadership Offers readers opportunity to reflect upon their own leadership practices This is a key text for anyone studying Early Childhood, existing and aspiring leaders, graduate Early Years Leaders and those training to work in settings, schools and children’s services. Professor Iram Siraj is Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. Dr. Elaine Hallet is a Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the Institute of Education, University of London.

Ensure your students link theory with practice with this updated version of the authoritative and accessible series from Jennie Lindon Linking Theory and Practice has helped thousands of students make the right connections between their lectures and the real settings that they go on to work in. This latest edition of Reflective Practice and Early Years Professonalism provides a useful overview of the subject in straightforward language that allows novices to access the more complicated concepts. Jennie Lindon's trademark approach provides a trusted and authoritative voice for a wide range of courses, including undergraduate and foundation degrees in Early Years and Early Childhood, PGCEs and BEd programmes. · Provides detailed references for further reading with descriptions of 'key texts' for each chapter · 'Pause for reflection' feature provides numerous opportunities to think about the impact of their own role. · Ensures the latest thinking and research is covered in full.

Recognising multiple cultural, ethical and geographical influences which impact on the development of a child’s identity, this insightful text explores the role of early childhood practitioners and settings in nurturing and navigating the child’s sense of being and belonging. Multiple Early Childhood Identies confronts the diverse factors which influence early identity-formation to emphasise the child’s understanding of self, outsiders’ projections and the messages communicated by educators, family members and the wider community as critical to a child’s identity and wellbeing. Written to provoke group discussion and extend thinking, this text also provides opportunities for international comparison, points for reflection and editorial provocations and will help students engage critically with the concept of identity-formation and influencing factors. 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 Offering in-depth discussion of the diverse perspectives, experiences and practices which impact on the formation of the child’s identity, 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, for students, educators, integrated service providers and policy makers.

Winner of the 2013 Nursery World Awards! This is a key text for all those studying for degrees and foundation degrees in early childhood, early years and related disciplines and for candidates on EYPS pathways. It takes the reader through a detailed exploration of the nature of play examining the features and the concepts of play. Guidance on the observation of children′s play is included and the text encourages students to appreciate the value of play in development and in socialisation. Children′s rights and the ownership of play are also covered. With interactive activities and case studies throughout, the text helps students to arrive at an understanding of their own practice in relation to play. About the Early Years series This series has been designed to support students of Early Years, Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines in popular modules of their course. Each text takes a focused look at a specific topic and approaches it in an accessible and user-friendly way. Features have been developed to help readers engage with the text and understand the subject from a number of different viewpoints. Activities pose questions to prompt thought and discussion and ′Theory Focus′ boxes examine essential theory close-up for better understanding. This series is also applicable to EYPS candidates on all pathways. Other titles in the series are Early Childhood Studies, Childhood in Society for Early Childhood Studies and Child Observation for the Early Years.

The Early Years Handbook for Students and Practitioners is a comprehensive and accessible course text for all students studying at levels 4 and 5, including on Foundation Degrees and Early Childhood Studies degrees. Designed and written by the Chair of the SEFDEY (Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years) Network and a team of expert contributors, this book covers the essential skills, knowledge and understanding you need to become an inspiring and effective early years practitioner. Divided into four parts: The Student-Practitioner-Professional; The Learning and Development of Children 0-5; The Child, Family and Society; and The Senior Practitioner-Professional, the book covers all aspects of working with young children and engages you with theory that is explicitly linked to your practice. Throughout there is a strong emphasis on supporting your transition to undergraduate study, developing your academic skills and encouraging you to be an active learner. In every chapter, the book seeks to help you develop your professional identity and features: Activities to help you to reflect on your own practice ‘Provocations’ to promote discussion and debate Case study examples and photographs to illustrate key points ‘From Research to Practice’ boxes outlining key research in the field and implications for practice. The book is supported by a companion website featuring, for students, links to useful websites and video material, and an interactive flashcard glossary. Online support for lecturers includes ideas for tasks and activities to use in class and the diagrams and images in the book available to download.

In this stimulating and provocative book the editors have drawn together a diverse and international range of respected authors, each of whom has taken a critical approach to the contentious question of how you define and achieve quality early childhood services. It is a book designed to provoke and promote critical dialogue and discourse amongst practitioners and students through critical engagement with the position of the authors within the text. I believe anyone who reads this book will be inspired and motivated to challenge and extend their thinking and professional practice, adopting the critical stance which lies at the heart of quality services for children and families. Professor Chris Pascal, Director of Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) Early childhood is a complex and important area of study where it is important to develop your critical thinking and reflect upon key issues. This book will help do both. It explores interrelated topics such as: Child development Play Safeguarding Professionalism Curriculum and Policy Each chapter will not only engage with what you need to know but help you develop your academic skills. The book also comes with lots of online resources and include: Podcasts from the authors of each chapter so you can better understand the key concepts PowerPoints to help you revise the essential information Journal articles related to each chapter provide further reading Michael Reed and Rosie Walker are both Senior Lecturers in Early Childhood at the Institute of Education, University of Worcester.