Early Childhood Education and Care

By the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

This book examines early childhood education and care policy and provision across twelve countries and provides suggestions for enhancing the quality and accessibility of care. Topics addressed include universal access, quality of provision, service coordination, public versus private funding, staff education and work conditions, pedagogical frameworks for young children, and involving families and communities.

Executive summary

1. Introduction

2. Contextual issues shaping ECEC policy

3. Main policy developments and issues

4. Policy lessons from the thematic review

1. Introduction

1.1 Why are countries interested in a thematic review of early childhood education and care policy?

1.2 What do we mean by Early Childhood Education and Care?

1.3 Which countries took part in the thematic review?

1.4 How was the thematic review conducted?

1.5 The structure of the report

1.6 Terminology and conventions used in the report

2. Contextual issues shaping ECEC policy

Introduction

2.1 Demographic, economic and social trends

2.2 Recognising diverse views of children and the purpose of ECEC

3. Main policy developments and issues

Introduction

3.1 Expanding provision toward universal access

3.2 Raising the quality of provision

3.3 Promoting coherence and co-ordination of policy and services

3.4 Exploring strategies to ensure adequate investment in the system

3.5 Improving staff training and work conditions

3.6 Developing appropriate pedagogical frameworks for young children

3.7 Engaging parents, families and communities

4. Policy Lessons from the thematic review

Introduction: A broader contextual framework for ECEC policy

4.1 Key elements of successful ECEC policy

A systemic and integrated approach to policy development and implementation

A strong universal partnership with the education system

A universal approach to access, with particular attention to children in need of special support

Substantial public investment in services and the infrastructure

A participatory approach to quality improvement and assurance

Appropriate training and working conditions for staff in all forms of provision

Systematic attention to monitoring and data collection

A stable framework and long-term agenda for research and evaluation

4.2 Future directions of work

References

Appendix 1: An overview of ECEC Systems in the Participating Countries

Appendix 2: Statistical Tables

Appendix 3: Questions to Guide the Preparation of the Background Report

Appendix 4: National Co-ordinators and Members of Review Teams

Appendix 5: Commissioned Papers

Appendix 6: Country Codes Used in Tables and Charts