Understanding Early Years Policy - Couverture souple

'This is an excellent and accessible text which is useful to both practitioners and students. It clearly outlines developments in early years policy in recent years, placing it in its political and social context. The inclusion of policy developments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in this latest edition gives a new and broader perspective of policy in the United Kingdom than previously available in a single text. Students studying the topic at degree level will find the framework for analyzing the impact of policy particularly enlightening' - Sue O'Neill, Award Director FdA Management of Childcare Provision, Liverpool Hope University

'I predict that this book will quickly find a place on the book lists of colleges and universities around the country' - ESCalate

'This book is excellent. It is very easy to read and it starts with the basics, before allowing the reader to be more reflective' - Michelle Smith, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies and Early Years PGCE

Dedicated to providing a complete understanding of early years policy and the ability to evaluate its impact on practice, this book is an invaluable guide for early years students and professionals alike.

The second edition of this well-loved book has been substantially revised including:

- An entirely new chapter focussing on policy across England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland

- Discussion of the proposed new Early Years Foundation Stage

- Talk of the recent developments in Special Educational Needs

- An up-to-date timeline of key early years legislation

Packed with case studies and exercises this books holds up the links between policy and practice for everyone to see. Suitable for students at all levels and practitioners at all stages of their career this book is a must-have for navigating the minefield of early years legislation.

Peter Baldock has worked extensively in early years education and is a member of the Localities Advisory Board of Sheffield's 0-19+ Partnership. Damien Fitzgerald and Janet Kay are both Principal Lecturers in Early Childhood Studies at Sheffield Hallam University.