Quality in the Early Years

The term ‘quality’ is frequently used in early years practice - both in professional discussions and in key policy and literature - but often without question or an agreed understanding of what quality is and as though it is an entirely unproblematic concept.  Through a series of inspiring and thought-provoking chapters this book supports you in considering and developing your own notion of ‘quality early years practice’ across a broad range of key strands of early years provision – from the environment to policies, from work with vulnerable children and babies to curriculum and research.  

This book helps you to construct your own idea of quality and challenges you to develop your own understanding through stimulating discussion and reflection points.  A key argument is that whilst there are several ‘indicators’ and ‘measures’ of quality there is no one universally agreed definition of ‘quality’ in early years provision and hence developing your own notion of quality and working towards that with others is paramount.  Key features include:

•Consideration of what ‘quality’ looks like within a contemporary early years landscape

•How you might deliver quality practice when other influences might appear to hinder or contradict this

•Reflection points to help you embed and link your learning to practice

•A graduated approach for a greater depth of engagement with the topic and relevant literature. 

With each chapter written by an early years expert Quality in the Early Years is a vital companion for those studying towards any early years qualification, as well as established practitioners and leaders within the field.