“This book offers a unique and critical approach to the theme of adults working in early years settings through a focus on seven key dimensions encompassed in the term 'the plural practitioner'. The discussion is strongly underpinned by a consideration of the two important principles of child centredness and social justice. The authors also draw on multiple perspectives, including the role of neuroscience and socio cultural perspectives, to consider who these early years professional are and the complexity of what they bring to their work.” Linda Miller, Professor Emeritus, Early Years, The Open University, UK This essential book focuses on the adult role within early years education and care. The book introduces the concept of the 'plural practitioner', which acknowledges that the role of the adult in early years settings is complex and entails many different responsibilities. The book argues that the ‘plural practitioner’ can create quality early years provision by implementing child-centred and socially just practices. The idea of the ‘plural practitioner’ is embedded in theory and research, providing a robust rationale and framework to help early years practitioners understand of a range of theories and relate them to their work with young children. The book includes: Discussion of the seven different dimensions of the adult role - to help practitioners reflect on the multiple and complex ways in which they work with young children including: The Critical Reflector, The Carer, The Communicator, The Facilitator, The Observer, The Assessor and The Creator Key questions at the end of each chapter to stimulate further reflection and reading Case study examples of real practitioner experiences The Role of the Adult in Early Years Settings will appeal to all students and practitioners either planning to or currently working in early years settings and aiming to develop their practice.

This book explores the ways in which Early Years practitioners work with parents and families to enhance children’s development, learning and well-being. It explores the need for close partnership working between staff and families, offers examples of good practice and encourages reflection and discussion of the issues involved. The book pays particular attention to the standards required to gain Early Years Professional Status but is of interest to anybody working in an Early Years setting or studying on Early Childhood courses.

'A Practical Guide to Early Years Education' has been written in order to support colleagues in gaining an understanding of what excellent provision looks like and offers tools and resources to help you manage, improve and sustain high quality provision in your setting. Pick up a book about Early Years education and too often it is heavily weighted to research and theory. These are important of course, but for many of us who are busy and time poor, we want to be able to open a book and find it full of good ideas and easily accessible resources, easy to read and written by someone who does the job day in and day out. Whether you are a child minder, work in a nursery or in a school, this book will offer you sensible, practical advice about what you can do to improve the experience for the children in your care, meet their individual needs and sustain improved learning outcomes.Written in a clear and easily accessible way, each chapter focuses on a key area of provision and offers a wealth of practical ideas and resources to help you: *Understand what excellent provision looks like and should include * Audit your own provision and identify strengths and areas to improve * Develop resources and guidance for staff to ensure that your setting offers all the necessary support and skills to ensure the children in your care are stimulated, develop excellent attitudes to learning and make progress.

This fully updated new edition offers a comprehensive, accessible, yet rigorous introduction to the study of Early Childhood that will will add value to any Early Childhood Studies course at both foundation and degree level. Addressing both care and education in the Early Years, the book considers a range of multi-disciplinary aspects of Early Childhood; including health, social, educational, psychological and sociological perspectives. Early Childhood Studies engages the reader by providing real-world examples that underpin theoretical perspectives and bring examples to life, while encouraging practitioners to engage in reflective practice by considering their own similar experiences. Key features include: Engaging activities and case studies that bring theory to life Cutting-edge research Practical tasks and advice with points for further reading End of chapter summaries, Reflective Tasks and Study Skills boxes in each chapter Full colour illustrations throughout This core introductory textbook is an indispensable resource for Early Years’ students and professionals, whatever their level of expertise or experience.

This exciting new book celebrates, interrogates and re-imagines the complex and demanding role of the Early Childhood Practitioner. Exploring the many different facets of the Early Childhood Practitioner’s (ECP) role, it challenges normative constructions of practitioners and how they have been shaped by assumptions of history, culture and policy. Drawing on a range of theoretical presumptions and debates, the chapters champion the multidimensional power and potentiality of the ECP, arguing for greater respect and recognition for a role that supports and enables at a crucial time in a child’s life. With opportunities for reflection, key topics include: The specialist pedagogical expertise of the ECP The key role that ECPs play in the child’s holistic wellbeing The ECP as diplomat across many professional contexts, effectively communicating with families and professionals The creative ECP, pushing traditional, normative boundaries of practice The ECP as so much more than they are customarily perceived as being. This latest addition to the TACTYC series will be valuable reading for Early Years students – particularly on Masters level courses – as well as those working and researching in the Early Years sector.

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.

Grounded in recent research on the challenges of working with two-year-olds, Places for Two-year-olds in the Early Years explores how this often overlooked age group is presented in policy and practice, and discusses why working with two-year-olds can be both exciting and highly rewarding. The book builds on theoretical understandings of child development, high-quality provision and pedagogical practice, to offer practical solutions for working effectively with two-year-olds and their families in a variety of early years settings. Chapters focus on the specific needs of two-year-olds and the accompanying demands made on settings and practitioners. Many topics are also approached from a practical perspective, prompting readers to consider their own experiences of working with two-year-olds. The book explores: understandings of ‘high quality’ education and care varying workforce requirements and professional development how practitioners develop knowledge(s) about working with two-year-olds physical and social environments for two-year-olds the role of the adult or key person in supporting children’s development provision of services for disadvantaged two-year-olds. With reflective questions and annotated further reading included throughout, Places for Two-year-olds in the Early Years is essential reading for practitioners, policy-makers and students involved in this often overlooked area of early years provision.

In an era in which environmental education has been described as one of the most pressing educational concerns of our time, further insights are needed to understand how best to approach the learning and teaching of environmental education in early childhood education. In this book we address this concern by identifying two principles for using play-based learning early childhood environmental education. The principles we identify are the result of research conducted with teachers and children using different types of play-based learning whilst engaged in environmental education. Such play-types connect with the historical use of play-based learning in early childhood education as a basis for pedagogy. In the book ‘Beyond Quality in ECE and Care’ authors Dahlberg, Moss and Pence implore readers to ask critical questions about commonly held images of how young children come to construct themselves within social institutions. In similar fashion, this little book problematizes the taken-for-grantedness of the childhood development project in service to the certain cultural narratives. Cutter-Mackenzie, Edwards, Moore and Boyd challenge traditional conceptions of play-based learning through the medium of environmental education. This book signals a turning point in social thought grounded in a relational view of (environmental) education as experiential, intergenerational, interspecies, embodied learning in the third space. As Barad says, such work is based in inter-actions that can account for the tangled spaces of agencies. Through the deceptive simplicity of children’s play, the book stimulates deliberation of the real purposes of pedagogy and of schooling. Paul Hart, University of Regina, Canada

First published in 2000. This book will serve as a reader for students on early childhood courses and reflective practitioners working with or for young children in a range of early years settings. It provides an introduction to current research and thinking in early years curriculum, health issues, special educational needs, bilingualism, the role of adults working with young children and the role of parents in young children’s development and learning. It takes account of the new curriculum framework and Foundation Stage for early years, recognising the demands of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies.The contributors’ wide range of backgrounds in early years health and education ensures that the text will meet the needs of students on HNC/D and BA degree courses in Early Childhood Studies and those taking BEd courses for Primary/Early Years teachers.

Partnership with Parents in Early Childhood Settings examines how practitioners can work effectively with parents and families, acknowledging the complex nature of these relationships. Drawing on policy, research and practice from kindergartens and early years settings in five European countries, it provides insight into how political, social and cultural contexts affect the relationships between educators and families and the impact this has on children’s early experiences. The book is based upon learning from an Erasmus mobility project between educators from five countries in OMEP (the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education). It presents examples from practice and research from the different countries and highlights some positive and practical ways in which professionals can work with parents, as well as potential barriers to parental partnership and how these might be overcome. Each section focuses on a different country and allows for a detailed exploration into how relationships are developed and sustained for the benefit of young children and their families in different places. Throughout, the reader is encouraged to reflect on their current understanding of parental partnership and how they can plan for positive parental partnership working in the future. This thought-provoking text will be an indispensable resource for students of early childhood and teachers and practitioners, as well as academics and those with an interest in early years social and educational policy.