Tricia David was a head teacher in three schools before joining the University of Warwick, where she is currently Senior Lecturer in Education. Her main teaching and research interests in the field of early childhood focus on policy issues relating to the position of children in society, children and their families and children’s rights.

• Chapter 1 What’s so special about families?, Tricia David; Part I Services for young children and their families; Chapter 2 In sickness and in health, Clare Blackburn; Chapter 3 Childminders and children, Judy Warner; Chapter 4 Teachers and young children in educational establishments, Cathy Nutbrown; Chapter 5 Voluntary agencies, young children and their families: preschool playgroups, Margaret Brown; Chapter 6 Daycare and nursery education as a business, Vivienne Whittingham; Part II Children in need; Chapter 7 Becoming a special family, Elaine Herbert; Chapter 8 When parents separate – having two homes, Erica De’Ath; Chapter 9 Supporting ‘children in need’ – the role of the social worker, Norma Baldwin, Christine Harrison; Chapter 10 Young children in the care system, Sonia Jackson; Chapter 11 Making a difference for children ‘in need’, Tricia David; Part III Issues and implications; Chapter 12 Young children in day nurseries and combined centres run by the Social Services dePart ment – practitioner research, Margy Whalley; Chapter 13 Training to work with young children, Audrey Curtis; Chapter 14 Coordinating provision – the story so far in one local authority, Ann Sharp; Chapter 15 Postscript. Supporting children and families – an optimistic future?, Tricia David;

Tricia David was a head teacher in three schools before joining the University of Warwick, where she is currently Senior Lecturer in Education. Her main teaching and research interests in the field of early childhood focus on policy issues relating to the position of children in society, children and their families and children’s rights.

• Chapter 1 What’s so special about families?, Tricia David; Part I Services for young children and their families; Chapter 2 In sickness and in health, Clare Blackburn; Chapter 3 Childminders and children, Judy Warner; Chapter 4 Teachers and young children in educational establishments, Cathy Nutbrown; Chapter 5 Voluntary agencies, young children and their families: preschool playgroups, Margaret Brown; Chapter 6 Daycare and nursery education as a business, Vivienne Whittingham; Part II Children in need; Chapter 7 Becoming a special family, Elaine Herbert; Chapter 8 When parents separate – having two homes, Erica De’Ath; Chapter 9 Supporting ‘children in need’ – the role of the social worker, Norma Baldwin, Christine Harrison; Chapter 10 Young children in the care system, Sonia Jackson; Chapter 11 Making a difference for children ‘in need’, Tricia David; Part III Issues and implications; Chapter 12 Young children in day nurseries and combined centres run by the Social Services dePart ment – practitioner research, Margy Whalley; Chapter 13 Training to work with young children, Audrey Curtis; Chapter 14 Coordinating provision – the story so far in one local authority, Ann Sharp; Chapter 15 Postscript. Supporting children and families – an optimistic future?, Tricia David;

Tricia David was a head teacher in three schools before joining the University of Warwick, where she is currently Senior Lecturer in Education. Her main teaching and research interests in the field of early childhood focus on policy issues relating to the position of children in society, children and their families and children’s rights.

• Chapter 1 What’s so special about families?, Tricia David; Part I Services for young children and their families; Chapter 2 In sickness and in health, Clare Blackburn; Chapter 3 Childminders and children, Judy Warner; Chapter 4 Teachers and young children in educational establishments, Cathy Nutbrown; Chapter 5 Voluntary agencies, young children and their families: preschool playgroups, Margaret Brown; Chapter 6 Daycare and nursery education as a business, Vivienne Whittingham; Part II Children in need; Chapter 7 Becoming a special family, Elaine Herbert; Chapter 8 When parents separate – having two homes, Erica De’Ath; Chapter 9 Supporting ‘children in need’ – the role of the social worker, Norma Baldwin, Christine Harrison; Chapter 10 Young children in the care system, Sonia Jackson; Chapter 11 Making a difference for children ‘in need’, Tricia David; Part III Issues and implications; Chapter 12 Young children in day nurseries and combined centres run by the Social Services dePart ment – practitioner research, Margy Whalley; Chapter 13 Training to work with young children, Audrey Curtis; Chapter 14 Coordinating provision – the story so far in one local authority, Ann Sharp; Chapter 15 Postscript. Supporting children and families – an optimistic future?, Tricia David;