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.
Introduction to Critical Thinking
Introduction: Challenging misconceptions about policy and practice
The shaping of early years policy since 1900.
Family structures, status and public policy.
Cultural and social aspects of the health and wellbeing of young children.
The status and rights of young children as political and policy influencers.
Education and care for early learning and development.
Poverty as part of the early years' experience.
The landscape of rural and urban living for young children.
Early years politics and economics on the international stage.
References
Index
