Early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings offer an opportunity to provide children with a solid beginning in all areas of their development. The quality and efficacy of these settings depend largely on the individuals within the ECCE workforce. Policy makers need a complete picture of ECCE teachers and caregivers in order to tackle the persistent challenges facing this workforce. The IOM and the National Research Council hosted a workshop to describe the ECCE workforce and outline its parameters. Speakers explored issues in defining and describing the workforce, the marketplace of ECCE, the effects of the workforce on children, the contextual factors that shape the workforce, and opportunities for strengthening ECCE as a profession.

′The book gives excellent insight of current Early Years topics by covering international educational approaches and discussing the need to professionalise the sector. It is suitable for students on Early Childhood Studies programme, EYPS, and Early Years Foundation Degrees.′ - Eva Mikuska, Senior Lecturer at University of Chichester, MA, EYPS, and Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood By examining how young children develop and learn from conception through to the age of eight, this book explores ways to enhance professional practice in the early years. Sections cover: - Child development (including recent research into cognitive development of babies) - The child in the socio-cultural context - International educational approaches - The developing professional. Learning Features: - Key learning points identify at a glance what each chapter will cover - Case studies help you link theory to practice - Reflective activities help you reflect on how to apply ideas to practice - Further reading directs you to additional resources to deepen your understanding. Illustrated with examples of practice from a range of settings, this accessible text is essential reading for all those studying on Early Years, Early Childhood Studies and Early Years Education and Care courses. Additional online material/support:

Provides students with a comprehensive insight into multiple facets of the early childhood field, from history and philosophy, to technology, diversity, play, and the role of teachers and caregivers. Recognized as a national expert in CDA, multicultural education, outdoor environments, developmentally appropriate practice, and child development, Francis Wardle brings us this comprehensive introduction to the field of early childhood care and education, infants to age 8. This text addresses a wide variety of programs, including global early childhood education, setting up and maintaining indoor and outdoor environments, and strategies teaching literacy, math, and science. Included throughout the text are discussions of brain research, diversity checklists, an emphasis on parent involvement and inclusion, how young children learn, and looking at teachers and caregivers as professionals.

Armed with the mantra knowledge before action, this introduction to early childhood education allows teachers to first understand the development of the whole child and then to plan an environment and curriculum that will allow them to learn and thrive. Using a largely developmental approach, this first edition text explores both time-honored theories of early childhood development and current models and modern research in the field. Part One of the text discusses the history and theories of childhood development, while Part Two instructs teachers how to support children's emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. The final section of the book explains how to assessment and guidance to support children and how to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum in the classroom. This text is supplemented with a number of features and ancillaries that make learning easier for students and teaching easier for instructors. Students will benefit from the many boxed activities and aides as well as by the online features contained in MyEducationLab. Teachers may take advantage of the online instructors' guide, online test back, numerous videos, and PowerPoint slides.

'This is an interesting, comprehensive and up-to-date book, which will be useful not just for students, but for experienced practitioners who want to gain a broader, more strategic understanding of the development of early childhood services' - Early Years Update 'This is a stimulating, well-structured book with excellent references to further relevant research. I am confident students will find this a meaningful key text in their study of early childhood, early years leadership and every aspect of early years education and practice' - Denise Corfield, Edge Hill University Covering the major themes of early childhood education and care, this new edition of a popular book has been updated to cover recent developments in the early years field. Linking theory and practice, it covers Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), the National Professional Qualification for Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL) and the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Where appropriate, account is taken of the regional differences between policy and practice in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Chapters look at: children's rights; protecting and safeguarding children; inclusive practice for children with special educational needs; collaborative practice across education, health and social work; child health; appropriate ways to study and gain knowledge of children; theories of modern childhood; children's learning; and international perspectives. There are 5 entirely new chapters on: - working with families - children's well-being - outdoor play and learning - understanding diversity - workforce development and professionalism. With lots of helpful features such as chapter objectives, questions for reflection and discussion and recommended further reading, this new edition also includes: - extra case studies - useful websites - a glossary of key terms. Essential reading for students new to Early Childhood Studies, this book will be a useful source of references and further reading throughout any early years degree programme.

Ensure children of all backgrounds can thrive with an intercultural approach to early childhood education In a multicultural society such as Canada’s, early childhood educators work with children and families from a diverse mix of ethnicities, religions, languages, abilities, and lifestyles. Diversity enriches the experience of children and educators alike in these environments, but it can also present challenges in supporting each child’s growth and learning. In Introduction to Early Childhood Learning and Care, early learning specialists Carole Massing and Mary Lynne Matheson present an intercultural perspective as a foundation of equitable outcomes in early childhood education, but just what does that look like? An intercultural approach involves the respectful exchange of ideas between people from diverse backgrounds, leading to mutual trust and deeper relationships. Guided by a diverse team of reviewers, this book examines the concepts, approaches, and strategies that every early childhood educator needs to know to provide sensitive, culturally responsive care for children and their families. Topics include: - The theoretical bases for an intercultural approach to early childhood education and care - The factors that impact a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development - How to create environments that enhance children’s wellbeing and affirm their identity - How to support children’s creativity, literacy, and inquiry skills through an intercultural lens - The skills, responsibilities, and challenges of working as an early childhood educator

This new edition of Cathy Nutbrown′s much loved book explains the key ideas and issues in Early Childhood clearly and concisely, keeping students up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. There are brand new entries on: - Attachment - Babies′ learning and development - Children′s Centres - Citizenship - Digital Technologies - Early Years Foundation Stage - Early Years Professional Status - Neuroscience - Sexualities The rest of the book has also been thoroughly updated and revised, and includes coverage of heuristic play, Early Literacy Development and Parental Involvement. The book offers starting points which provide a clear focus, further reading and discussion of research on thirty-five key topics. It is a must for students following courses in early childhood education and care. Professor Cathy Nutbrown directs and teaches on Masters and Doctoral programmes in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

The first volume in this Early Childhood Education and Care in the 21st Century: International Teaching, Family and Policy Perspectives miniseries provides a snapshot of early childhood education and care from 19 different countries around the world. The intention is to provide a description for the policy and provision for young children and their families in each of the unique contemporary contexts. The selection of countries includes every continent in the world to provide variety across cultures, socio-economic status, location, population and other unique factors. Some chapters also share the development and history of early childhood in their country, including economic and political transitions that lead to changes in early childhood provision and policy. The book provides essential takeaways for early childhood educators, researchers, early childhood organisations, policy makers and those interested to know more about early childhood education within an international perspective.

This text prepares childcare providers to meet the responsibility of musically nurturing young children. After being led to understand the importance of musically nurturing children in this age group, students are taught to nurture children at various stages in early childhood. The unique developmental characteristics of these stages are examined and are the basis upon which activities are planned. Specific activity examples are given that help the student learn to sing, move, play and listen to music with young children. In addition to the main text, a supplement helps the student gain an understanding of basic musical elements and terms. This is meant to help students feel more comfortable with music, so they are not hesitant to lead children in the discovery of this creative expression.

Pathways to Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care is concerned with a growing interest from policy and research in the professionalisation of the early childhood workforce. Illustrated by in-depth case studies of innovative and sustainable pathways to professionalisation, it recognises the importance of a systemic approach to professionalisation across all levels of the early childhood. The authors of this wide-ranging book share insights of professionalism from various European countries and suggest that professionalism in early childhood unfolds best in a ‘competent system’. This book considers a broad range of international issues including Continuous professional support and quality Early Childhood education and care staff with different qualifications in professional development processes. How personal attitudes and competence of educators are related to the wider system of competent teams, leadership, collaboration across services and competent governance From research to policy: the case of early childhood and care Pathways to Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care is a crucial and fascinating read for professionals working in the sector and contributes to broadening views on what professionalism in early childhood can mean within a ‘competent system’.