Early childhood institutions underwent a dramatic transformation in the twentieth century, with the perceptions of children not attending preschool reflecting shifts in political, educational, and social opinions regarding the best place for the rearing and education of young children. This lecture presents some historical "maps" of…

Introduces this special issue on the provision of integrated, comprehensive educational services for preschool children, focusing on advances in this area in Denmark, Spain, and New Zealand, and the lack of such services on a national scale in the United Kingdom. (MDM)

The early education policy of the National Party government in New Zealand is based on the Parents As First Teachers (PAFT) approach and the New Parents as Teachers project, which originated in the United States in Missouri. It is difficult to assess this project, which is not well-documented. The PAFT policy that parents should be home with…

This briefing paper focuses on the choices of instructional language in Pacific classrooms, as mandated by national or state policies, and discusses consequences of such choices on students' academic achievement and career preparation in the changing Pacific region. The paper first notes that in most South Pacific secondary schools, English is the…

Education in New Zealand is the topic of this publication. The following topics are discussed: the country and the people, the basic system, preschool education, primary education, secondary education, Maori and Island education, special education, tertiary education, teacher education, continuing education, educational organizations, and recent…

This is the report of a working group formed by the Government of New Zealand to assist in establishing a more equitable system of early childhood care and education (ECCE) than presently exists. The working group was asked to investigate all state and independent arrangements for the care and education of infants and children up to the age of 6…

Addresses issues relating to the inclusion and exclusion of young children with disabilities in regular early childhood settings. Analyzes statements from parents, early childhood educators, and support staff as representing a number of discourses that are the context within which disability and provisions for children with disabilities are…

Drawing from the personal visits of an early childhood specialist to centers for infants and toddlers in Britain and the United States, this paper focuses on issues of teacher education, deregistration, and professionalism. Introductory material describes the child care situation in Aotearoa, New Zealand, highlighting the increasing demand for…

There are currently no significant policies or programs to address the underrepresentation of males in the early childhood and primary education teaching profession in New Zealand. This paper examines the reasons for male underrepresentation and presents arguments for and against the employment of male teachers in these fields. Reasons cited for…