Contemporary Issues in the Early Years

by Gillian Pugh (Editor), Bernadette Duffy (Editor)

• Used

  Paperback
  2006

  $3.47

  `This text provides a comprehensive overview of the range of issues that the EYP will need to be aware of to firmly locate themselves in their newly developing role' - Under 5

  'This is essential reading for anyone with responsibility for taking the agenda of early childhood services forward' - Nursery World

  Since the publication of Every Child Matters in 2003, and the enactment of the 2004 Children's Act, children's services in the UK have undergone - and continue to undergo - a sea change. With a focus on improving outcomes for all children, and of closing the gap between those who do well and those who do not, the importance of the early years of children's lives and of supporting families through integrated service provision are now centre stage.

  Earlier editions of this book have argued for coherent policies for young children and for an expansion of high quality early childhood services. This edition reflects the many developments across the early childhood field in the past few years, with a particular emphasis on working together across agency boundaries to respond effectively to the needs of children and families. Much has been achieved, although there is still progress to be made.

  The book covers

  - policy and service development at national and local levels, including the broader children's services agenda, as well as specific developments for young children, such as Sure Start and children's centres

  - the international context for early childhood services

  - the development of frameworks for curriculum, for assessment and for inspection

  - the voice of the child, diversity and inclusion

  - working in multi-agency teams, and with parents

  - the impact of research

  - training and workforce issues

  This Fourth Edition is extensively revised and most of the chapters are completely new. The authors are all distinguished figures in the early childhood field.

  Forthcoming Conference...

  Contesting Early Childhood... and opening for change

  This conference brings together internationally renowned speakers from the world of early childhood. It will appeal to anyone interested in possibilities for diversity, complexity and multiple perspectives in early childhood education. Institute of Education, London, 11-12 May.

  Click here for more information, and to place your booking.

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $3.47

  `This is a highly readable text which will be welcomed by already established early years professionals and will constitute a valued resource for those training to join them' - Penny Coltman, Training, Advancement and Co-Operation in Teaching Young Children

  It is now widely accepted that during the first few years of life the foundations are laid for all future development. If children are to reach their full potential, then high quality services are required that meet their needs for education and care, and the needs of their parents for support. Yet it is only very recently that government has recognized the importance of providing such services. Professionals working in the early childhood field are still not working together as closely as they might in order to meet families needs in an holistic way.

  This book is concerned with

  - the environment and the experiences that we offer to children

  - equality of opportunity for all children

  - respecting and valuing all children

  - understanding how to support and enable children's learning

  - planning how to meet children's needs as individuals, now and in the future.

  But the book is also about relationships between adults and children, and about relationships between the adults - parents and educators - who work with and care for children. And it is about working across boundaries, and about finding time to care for each other as well as for our children.

  This Third Edition is extensively revised and most of the chapters are completely new. The authors are all distinguished figures in the early childhood field. The book is in two main parts - policy and practice - both of them informed by research, and with additional chapters on research and training.