Despite the widespread misconceptions surrounding early childhood education, the benefits it brings to children and their families are undeniable. In fact, the evidence shows that children who participate in early childhood education are more likely to be happy and healthy, have higher self-esteem, and are less likely to experience mental health problems later in life. You can choose a public or private nursery in Glasgow for your child.
Evidence For Early Childhood
Throughout the last two decades, evidence has played an important role in making substantial policy changes in early childhood education and care (ECEC). This has included improving the quality of ECEC for all children, as well as expanding the affordability of childcare for all families.
This has included free part-time ECEC places for every child from three years old until they start school, and an extension of this scheme to two-year-olds. There has also been an increase in the number of early childhood education and care centres, and a greater emphasis on parental engagement in ECEC.
Reforms
During the last twenty years, the early childhood education and care sector has experienced a number of interventions from governments, both domestic and international. This has included restructuring of institutions, funding for quality ECE provision and professionalisation of the workforce. In addition, governments have been instrumental in intervening in governance structures.
One of the most important policy developments has been the development of accountability mechanisms. These mechanisms are designed to ensure that early childhood services are educationally and economically effective. These mechanisms have been a key driver of workplace reform.
Inequality Of Access
Almost one third of children aged two and three who are eligible for funded early childhood places are not taking up their places. This highlights the need for governments to address inequalities in education. There are also large gaps between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers at the beginning of school. These gaps are particularly significant for Black and minority students. These children are also more likely to lack access to internet or other learning devices in the fall and spring.
Foucauldian Analysis
Neo-liberal curricula argue that young children should build human capital. They also naturalize antagonism. The ‘undesired’ child subject is depicted as responding in undesirable ways to environmental cues. Unlike the traditional classroom, these environments are not merely places where teachers educate. They are also meant to function as a mediator between the governed subject and the state.
In the UK, the government has become increasingly interested in early childhood education. Formal early childhood education is an institution that has developed relatively recently. It is a relatively modern institution, and its values have shaped the social field. Early childhood educators routinely address issues of injustice, exclusion and inequity.