scholarly journals The Effect of Early Childhood Education and Care Services in Latvia

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
Katrīne Kūkoja
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Investment Return ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Average Earning

Abstract The growing number of studies stresses the importance of social investment at an early age by showing that social investment at this period has the highest returns in human capital. The main instrument of social investment at an early age is high quality early childhood education and care services. The aim of the research was to identify whether the first signs of social investment return could be observed in Latvia, since statistic data showed that there was an expansion of early childhood education and care services over the last decades, especially for children until obligatory pre-school age. Research results showed that positive connection could be observed between pre-school attendance rate and fertility rate, female and overall employment rate, average earning, etc. However, no connection could be observed when it came to education outcomes in the short term. The author recommends conducting more research regarding service quality and investment return in the future.

Social Investment and Childcare Expansion

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita León
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Perfect Match ◽  
Preschool Education ◽  
Conceptual Level ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care

The chapter first examines at a conceptual level the links between theories of social investment and childcare expansion. Although ‘the perfect match’ between the two is often taken for granted in the specialized literature as well as in policy papers, it is here argued that a more nuance approach that ‘unpacks’ this relationship is needed. The chapter will then look for elements of variation in early childhood education and care (ECEC) expansion. Despite an increase in spending over the last two decades in many European and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, wide variation still exists in the way in which ECEC develops. A trade-off is often observed between coverage and quality of provision. A crucial dividing line that determines, to a large extent, the quality of provision in ECEC is the increasing differentiation between preschool education for children aged 3 and above and childcare for younger children.

Parent Choice of Early Childhood Education and Care Services

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Noble
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Parent Choice ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Education And Care

THIS PAPER REPORTS ON A STUDY designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of parent choice in relation to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. It investigates the ways parents make their choices of early childhood services and examines and interprets the meanings they ascribe to those choices. An orthodox grounded theory analysis of interviews with parents was conducted to elicit the knowledge bases parents draw on as they make judgements about the early childhood services they access for their children. This investigation informs ECEC professionals about the variations in the ways parents make choices for their young children. Specifically, there is a strong sense of the influence of social context and existing beliefs and understandings. However, equally importantly, parent choice is also strongly influenced by more pragmatic concerns. Therefore, choice of ECEC service is both complex and pragmatic.

Trust, Empathy and Time: Relationship Building with Families Experiencing Vulnerability and Disadvantage in Early Childhood Education and Care Services

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Education And Care

THIS ARTICLE IDENTIFIES some key enablers and barriers in early childhood education and care (ECEC) environments in Australia encountered by early childhood educators and professionals (ECEPs) and by the children and their families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage. Improving educational outcomes can change the cycle of disadvantage for children and their families. This research asks both the providers and users of services concurrently about what they think is important and effective. This qualitative case study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyse semi-structured interview data gathered from 30 families and their children and 33 qualified ECEPs. The research focused on the enablers and barriers around social inclusion, access, participation and engagement at the different levels of system, service, children and their families, and ECEPs. The study found that the participant groups shared an understanding that empathy, trust and time proved key to relationship building as a starting point in addressing some of the key barriers. Social inclusion, access, participation and engagement are key to early learning success in early childhood—a time integral to overall health, wellbeing and future role in society. This study has led to the development of a new model for engagement and relationship building.

scholarly journals Sharing is Caring: A Study of Food-Sharing Practices in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Services

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Ruth Wallace ◽  
Karen Lombardi ◽  
Charlotte De Backer ◽  
Leesa Costello ◽  
Amanda Devine
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Emotional Development ◽  
Food Sharing ◽  
Social And Emotional Development ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Family Style

Food connects people, and can significantly impact the physical, social and emotional development of young children. Food sharing and family-style mealtimes can support healthy eating practices and psychological well-being among young children, and carersother than family members, such as Early Childhood Education and Care staff, play an important role in the provision of these practices. Despite increasing numbers of Australian children attending Early Childhood Education and Care services, there is often reluctance among staff to promote such mealtime practices, to the detriment of children’s social and emotional development. The aim of this paper was to focus on the potential role of Early Childhood Education and Care services in facilitating food sharing and family-style mealtime practices in the earliest stages of the lifespan. A qualitative, netnographic approach was used, and data was collected as part of the broader ’Supporting Nutrition for Australian Childcare’ (SNAC) study, via online conversation threads, observations and qualitative interviews. Findings demonstrated that whilst many Early Childhood Education and Care services are committed to supporting food sharing and family-style mealtime practices, a number of barriers were reported. These included the perception that babies and toddlers could not participate in these practices, concerns about food hygiene and cross contamination of allergens, and negative parental influences on food sharing. In conclusion, this paper supports the practice of food sharing in Early Childhood Education and Care settings and calls for them to become embedded in everyday operations to support the physical, social and emotional development of Australia’s future generations.

Food allergy management in Early Childhood Education and Care Services in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-399
Author(s):  
Tonghuan Hua ◽  
Ros Sambell ◽  
Ruth Wallace ◽  
Sandra Vale ◽  
Amanda Devine
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Food Allergy ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Allergy Management
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