Tony Bertram

This seminal text offers an innovative, Froebelian inspired, and evidenced approach to teacher professional development that will promote ethical practice. Providing a timely interpretation and application of Froebelian principles, theories and pedagogic actions as showcased by early childhood settings in England and New Zealand, the expert author team promote a radical shift in approach which will better support the early childhood workforce through the promotion of Froebelian communities of practice. Split into three parts, the book will provide: a contemporary account of Froebelian principles and practices and an overview of the global challenges which face young children and the educators that work with them; an illustrative and reflective narrative of the practice evidence that has emerged from three Froebelian research projects; demonstrations of how the application of the Froebelian Reflection with Guidance framework has inspired and developed the work of educators within this project. The title will be invaluable reading for all those involved in early childhood research and practice, whether in initial training, advanced professional development, practice development and improvement and innovative research programmes.

This seminal text offers an innovative, Froebelian inspired, and evidenced approach to teacher professional development that will promote ethical practice. Providing a timely interpretation and application of Froebelian principles, theories and pedagogic actions as showcased by early childhood settings in England and New Zealand, the expert author team promote a radical shift in approach which will better support the early childhood workforce through the promotion of Froebelian communities of practice. Split into three parts, the book will provide: a contemporary account of Froebelian principles and practices and an overview of the global challenges which face young children and the educators that work with them; an illustrative and reflective narrative of the practice evidence that has emerged from three Froebelian research projects; demonstrations of how the application of the Froebelian Reflection with Guidance framework has inspired and developed the work of educators within this project. The title will be invaluable reading for all those involved in early childhood research and practice, whether in initial training, advanced professional development, practice development and improvement and innovative research programmes.

This report provides an overview of policy strategies on early childhood education settings (from birth to primary schooling) in eight countries. Data were collected using a policy questionnaire addressed to and completed by the National Research Coordinator(s) (NRC) of Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Poland, the Russian Federation and the United States. The countries that participated provide interesting illustrations of early childhood education policy in action in a range of diverse contexts. Analysis of the systemic and structural results of ECE policy at national and, where necessary, subnational levels, enables transnational comparisons in policy and systems. Key policy changes, both underway and planned, are documented. These data reveal key findings in each of the five policy areas as covered in the questionnaire and this report: public policy; delivery models and providers; participation and enrollment; quality assurance systems; and expectations for child outcomes. In particular, the study aims to provide meaningful information for countries, states and jurisdictions across the world in relation to early childhood education, mapping the systems, structures and user pathways in place, along with the perceptions of stakeholders about the system, its functioning and impact. This comprehensive assessment of the wider policy contexts and settings for early childhood education includes teacher/practitioner qualifications, pedagogy approaches, and opportunities for professional development. Such information will enable countries to review their early childhood education systems in an international context.

In this book, the authors discuss criteria and methodologies for evaluating and improving the quality of learning, and show how to evaluate practice and create action plans for improvement. They present a variety of case studies, including: a family centre; LEA nursery unit; a workplace nursery, an LEA nursery class; an inner-city reception class in a primary school; private day nurseries; and a social services day nursery. Each example is accompanied by a set of questions which highlight important features of the research process and suggest ways in which early years practitioners can examine and reflect on their own practice. This book draws on the experience of practitioners involved in the Effective Early Learning Research Project, developed to support early learning wherever young children are, whether in education, care, social services, health, voluntary sector, private sector, or state sector, from birth to 7 years. This book is essential reading for all early years practitioners, students, inspectors and trainers.