Lesley Abbott – författare

Early Education, internationally, is the focus of much challenge and debate. Various approaches to teaching young children are being developed and advocated, but the focus is often on curriculum content with the processes of learning as a secondary issue. The most important consideration in early education is the way in which young children learn. Their transferable skills of communication, collaboration and investigation can underpin all aspects of learning. These elements form the main focus of work in a group of pre-schools in an area of Northern Italy which has earned an international reputation for innovative practice and pedagogy.The experience of Reggio Emilia, in providing challenges to accepted approaches to early childhood education in many countries, is widely acknowledged. Since 1963, when the Italian municipality of Reggio Emilia began setting up its network of educational services for 0-6 year olds, the 'Reggio Approach' has gained worldwide recognition. Numerous visitors have been impressed by the acknowledgement given to the potential of children, the organisation and quality of the environments created, the promotion of collegiality and a climate of co-participation of families in the educational project. This book reflects the impressions and experiences of the Reggio Emilia approach gained by a range of early childhood educators following a study visit to the region. It focusses on key issues such as staffing, training, working with parents, play, learning, the culture of early childhood, and special educational needs, from a variety of perspectives and will provide a welcome challenge to thinking for both practitioners and policy makers.

“The quality of children’s experiences, and the engagement of their parents, particularly in these early years, is critical to better outcomes that will impact on the child right into adolescence and adulthood. While we have done much to expand quantity, we also must keep working on quality. This book is a key tool for both practitioners delivering services and managers designing and commissioning them.”Naomi Eisenstadt, Director, Sure Start Unit, Department for Education and Skills

Birth to Three Matters is essential reading for anyone involved in providing care and education or developing policy for children between birth and three. The book:

Explores the structure and content of the DfES Birth to Three Matters FrameworkSupports the use of the pack by providing more detail, background information, and discussion of current research and case studies in Early YearsExamines a range of issues that impact on the development of quality in early years settings Features contributions from influential early years experts, many of whom were involved in the development of the Birth to Three Matters FrameworkTopics include national and international policy and research, practitioners, quality, anti-discriminatory practice, inclusion, safety, and training. A sound theoretical approach is supported and enhanced by a highly practical section, which links to the framework and shows how how observation, play, interaction and creativity affects work with very young children.

This book supports a variety of professionals involved in the development of policy, practice and quality in early years settings, as well as students seeking to understand more about the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the issues that influence work with this age group.

Early Education Reformed provides a strong foundation of knowledge about aspects of early years education, by summarising the current status and outlining paths of development for now and the future. Specially commissioned papers by some of the most respected academics currently working in the field of early childhood and education means that this book will be essential reading for early years teachers and staff, social and child-care workers, researchers and policy-makers.