Describes recent changes in Swedish system of child care and early childhood education and analyzes them in relation to economic and socio-political context. Argues that early childhood education is an important part of the welfare society, which itself is in a state of transition, with neo-liberal ideas and economic constraints implying financial…

This paper presents an ecological approach to the study of day care, addressing the interaction of such factors as the developmental needs of children, the role of family structure, and the impact of governmental funding and regulatory policies. (Author/LMO)

Day care programs in the Scandinavian countries have been viewed as exemplary models to transfer to Canada and the United States. This publication, which provides an overview of day care in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, discusses conditions, facts, and programs contributing to the widespread acclaim. It is pointed out that day care in Denmark is an…

Noting demographic and socio-political shifts in Europe, this paper discusses challenges facing early childhood education in providing children with sufficient competence to cope successfully with discontinuities in their lives caused by rapidly changing social conditions and family structure. The paper outlines some contextual conditions which…

Surveyed South Africans to document the status of and need for early childhood care and education. Found that families and community members who previously responded to young children's needs can no longer do so due to social and economic dynamics. Also found training, training centers, infrastructure, and integration of African culture in…

Reflects upon experiences with the First Nations' Partnerships and the European Commission Child Care Network to argue that efforts to understand quality care have been insufficiently sensitive to socioecological and cultural factors related to defining and assessing quality. Argues for a reconceptualization of early childhood care, and presents…

This paper examines the experience of Caribbean countries in striving to achieve quality in early childhood development programs. Part 1 reviews the needs of developing children and the dimensions of quality in early childhood programs intended to meet those needs. Included in the discussion is the use of Developmentally Appropriate Practice…

Research indicates that staff in non-profit child care centers, compared to those in private centers, tend to receive higher wages, express greater job satisfaction and commitment, and are better trained and more experienced in child care. This study presents results of a survey of 32 staff members in 2 private and 3 non-profit centers in New…

This report, containing both English and Portuguese text, describes the historical background and current state of preschool education systems in Portugal, and presents recommendations on guideline consolidation in the implementation of a common preschool education policy. Part 1 of the report, "Historical Background," discusses the…

The primary aim of this annotated bibliography is to collect resources for those interested in acquiring a broad, cross-cultural understanding of early childhood education. Chapter I provides an overview of comparative and international perspectives of early childhood education. Subsequent chapters focus on aspects of early childhood education in…

In order to describe early childhood care and education in Canada and to discuss some related political realities and issues, this overview paper is divided into four sections. The first section concerns the use and administration of early childhood programs, including some discussion of the cultural and linguistic realities confronted by Canadian…

Fourth in a series of volumes containing the proceedings of the 1983 Australian Family Research Conference, this publication deals with policies and families in Australia. Papers and authors included are: "Improving Social Security Programs: Some Options and Barriers" (Andrew Burbidge), "Single Parent Families and Social Policies:…