Policy Issues in the Early Years

′Whether seen as a market commodity, a means of democratic empowerment, or the best start for all children, early years services reflect national values and political judgements. Policy making is relevant to all who work in early childhood care and education, and this book provides excellent insights and support to help practitioners develop the analytical skills that will make them "policy literate′- Dame Gillian Pugh, Chair, National Children′s Bureau ′A surprisingly accessible and interesting read, so if you want to feel more ′policy literate′, and need to get ′clued up′ on current issues affecting early years this book is the ideal read for you′- Martine Horvath, Early Years Educator′The contributors to the book are all well-informed protagonists in the field of early years who each offer unique perspectives on early years policy past, present, and future′-Early Years Update

• Introduction: Critical Perspectives on Early Years Policy-Making - Denise Hevey, University of Northampton and Linda Miller, Open UniversityPART ONE: POVERTY, SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE AND YOUNG CHILDRENPoverty, Disadvantage and Social Exclusion - Naomi Eisenstadt, University of Oxford, UK (former Head of Sure Start and Head of Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Unit.)Closing the Gap: Policy into Action - Jenny Spratt, Head of EY Services for Peterborough, Sue Owen, Director of Children′s Well being, National Children′s Bureau and Caroline Sharp, National FoundationPromoting Infant Mental Health: A Public Health Priority - Angela Underdown, Associate Professor of Public Health in the Early Years, Warwick Medical School, University of WarwickPART TWO: EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN EARLY YEARSEnhancing Potential in Children (EPIC) - Stuart Shanker, Director, The Milton and Harris Research Initiative and Roger Downer, York University, Canada.Safeguarding, Well-Being and Universal Services: A Case Study of Scotland - Jane Aldgate and Wendy Rose, The Open University, UK and policy advisers to Scottish Government Parenting Policies and Skills Strategies in the United Kingdom - Mary Crowley, formerly CEO of Parenting UKPlay as a Foundation for Learning? The Rhetoric and Reality of the National Strategy for Early Education and Assessment in England - Lesley Staggs, formerly National Director of the Foundation Stage National StrategyPART THREE: MARKETIZATION AND DEMOCRATIZATIONMaking Democracy a Fundamental Value in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) - Meaning What? - Prof. Peter Moss, Institute of Education, University of London, UK.Marketization of Early Years and Childcare Services - Eva Lloyd with Helen Penn, Centre for Study of Marketisation in Childcare, University of East London, UKEarly Years Services as a Vehicle for Democratization: ISSA′s Experience in Supporting Practitioners′ Professional Development, Building Partnerships and Influencing Systems - Ulviya Mikailova, Gerda Sula, Dawn Tankersley, Aija Tuna, International Step-by-Step Association (ISSA), Hungary.ConclusionCritical Perspectives on Policy Implementation - Linda Miller, The Open University and Denise Hevey, University of Northampton, UK