Understanding Early Years Policy

Previously known as Baldock: Understanding Early Years Policy is in its Fourth Edition. This best-selling textbook continues to provide fully updated coverage of all the latest developments in early years policy such as the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), SEND Code of Practice 0-25 years and the Children and Families Act 2014. Exploring how policy is made, implemented, analysed and developed over time this book presents a complete overview of early years policy and an evaluation of its ongoing impact on practice. This Fourth Edition has been significantly updated to include: Full coverage of the 2010-2015 UK Coalition Government. A comprehensive timeline of Early Years policy Guidance on how to research policy for yourself More international case studies, now including the US and Scandinavia. New material on how to manage policy changes as a practitioner An expandedfocus of the devolved countries within the UK This text is an essential read for early years students at all levels, and early years practitioners.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: What Is Policy and Why Is It Important? Chapter 2: The Development of Early Years Policy: Up to 1997 Chapter 3: The Development of Early Years Policy: New Labour and the Coalition Timeline of Early Years Policy Chapter 4: Influences on Early Years Policy Development Chapter 5: Implementing Early Years Policy Chapter 6: Early Years Policy in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: The Impact of Devolution Chapter 7: The International Dimension of Policy-making Chapter 8: The Impact of Policy Chapter 9: Analysing the Impact of Policy Chapter 10: Conclusion Glossary References Useful Websites

About the Author :
Damien Fitzgerald PhD, is Head of Area for Early Childhood and Childhood at the Sheffield Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University. His research interests include gender and childhood, heteronormativity in family contexts and same-sex parenting and this informs his undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. Prior to working at Sheffield Hallam, he worked as an advisory teacher in early years special needs and in other teaching roles in schools. He is also qualified as a nurse working mainly in emergency care. Janet Kay worked as a qualified social worker with children and families for some years before moving into teaching in further and then higher education. She has retired from full-time work, but still regularly lectures at Sheffield Hallam University, and is also working to promote better support for adoptive families in the UK.

Review :
Understanding Early Years Policy is a most accessible and engaging read. It takes the reader through the complex network of policy development and makes useful links to other areas of policy; as such it s a book that can be used beyond the Early Years context. The examples and suggested activities make a potentially dry subject matter come alive and will be most helpful to student engagement of the topic .