Unique new text introducing the theories and concepts of Early Childhood Education and Care, highlighting the knowledge, values and skills required to become a competent ECEC practitioner in Ireland today.

Written by educators, practitioners and policy experts from across Ireland, this book is organised in four parts:

Part 1: Theoretical Underpinnings of Early Childhood Education and Care

Introduces students to the key concepts and theories from a range of relevant disciplines, enabling them to make sense of a child’s place in the world.

Part 2: Approaches to Early Childhood Education and Care

Demonstrates the richness and breadth of pre-school learning models, describing the numerous theoretical andpractical perspectives in early education and care.

Part 3: Pedagogy and Learning

Explores the different types of environments and situations contributing to young children’s learning and reinforces the importance of engaging with parents and the community.

Part 4: structures and Issues 

Outlines the unique character of the ECEC sector in Ireland, while also highlighting the importance of ethics and the significance of diversity in ECEC practice.

Suitable For:

Undergraduate degree programmes in Early Childhood Education and Care in Institutes of Technology and Colleges of Education.

Dr Mark Taylor is a lecturer in the School of Business and Humanities, Institute of Technology, Sligo.

Introduction: Children at the Centre of Practice

PART 1: Theoretical Underpinnings of Early Childhood Education and Care

1: The Development of Early Childhood Education in Ireland in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
2: Theoretical Perspectives on Children’s Development During the Early Years
3: Understanding Child Health and Well-being
4: Sociological Perspectives on Childhood
5: The Legal Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care
6: Social Policy and Early Childhood Education and Care

PART 2: Approaches to Early Childhood Education and Care

7: Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education
8: Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
9: Engaging with Early Childhood Education Models
10: The Montessori Approach to Early Childhood Education
11: The HighScope Approach to Early Learning
12: Reggio Emilia
13: Friedrich Froebel and Early Childhood Education
14: Steiner Waldorf Early Years Education
15: Na Naíonraí
16: Learning to Play and Playing to Learn
17: The What, Why and How of Inclusive Early Years Practice
18: Early Interventions in Early Childhood Education and Care
19: Early Childhood Education in the Primary School Curriculum

PART 3: Pedagogy and Learning

20: Perspectives on Early Learning
21: Child Language in the Early Years
22: Children’s Literature and Early Literacy
23: Numeracy through Play and Real-Life Experiences
24: Learning Outdoors
25: Working with Parents in Early Years Services

PART 4: Structures and Issues

26: Why Working with Diversity and Equality in Early Childhood Education and Care Matters
27: The Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in Ireland
28: The Application and Uses of Ethics in Early Childhood Education and Care
29: Practice Placement and Reflection
30: The Future: Where are We Going?