![[PDF]](/pb-assets/Icons/adobe-pdf-icon-1498649896243.png){kind=icon}
Abstract
The international interest in early childhood education and care (ECEC) by supranational organisations, including the European Union, has grown considerably due to its dual function of sustaining parental employment and fostering child development. Focussing primarily on child development debates around ECEC, this article argues that human capital theory is the dominant rationale for investing in ECEC. The article discusses the development of ECEC in Finland and England, countries that are considered members of different family policy regimes. It explores the pattern of ECEC developments over time, the extent to which these developments have been framed as human capital investments, the extent that there are references to supranational policy imperatives, and whether there is a growing convergence between the countries around ECEC. Whilst we argue there is some merging in ideas around the function of ECEC in supporting parental employment, there are still differing interpretations when looking at child development that can be related to the cultural and historical origins of ECEC in the respective countries. We voice our concerns that the growing dominance of human capital theory in interpretations of ECEC is resulting in a very narrow view of children and ECEC services.
References
Section:
| Anttonen, A. & Sipilä, J. (2000) Suomalaista sosiaalipolitiikkaa. Tampere: Vastapaino. Google Scholar | |
| Bennett, J. (2003) Starting Strong: The persistent division between care and education, Journal of Early Childhood Research, 1(1), 21–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476718X030011006 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Bertram, T. & Pascal, C. (2002) Early Years Education: an international perspective. London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Google Scholar | |
| Cabinet Office (2002) Delivering for Children and Families Interdepartmental Childcare Review. London: Cabinet Office, UK Parliament. Google Scholar | |
| Campbell Barr, V. (2010a) The Research, Policy and Practice Triangle in Early Childhood Education and Care, in Parker-Rees, R. & Leeson, C. (Eds) Early Childhood Studies: an introduction to the study of children's worlds and children's lives, 3rd edn, pp. 163–178. Exeter: Learning Matters. Google Scholar | |
| Campbell-Barr, V. (2010b) Providing a Context for Looking at Quality and Value in Early Years Education. Newport: Office for National Statistics. Google Scholar | |
| Campbell-Barr, V. (2012) Early Years Education and the Value for Money Folklore, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 20(3), 423–437. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2012.704764 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Campbell-Barr, V. & Garnham, A. (2010) What Parents Want - parents and childcare: a literature review. Manchester: Equality and Human Rights Commission. http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/childcare_what_parents_want.pdf Google Scholar | |
| Campbell Barr, V., Lavelle, M. & Wickett, K. (2011) Exploring Alternative Approaches to Child Outcome Assessments in Children's Centres, Early Child Development and Care, 182(7), 859–874. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2011.590937 Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Clark, M. & Waller, T. (2007) Early Childhood Education and Care: policy and practice. London: Sage. Google Scholar | |
| Clarke, J., Smith, N. & Vidler, E. (2005) Consumerism and the Reform of Public Services: Inequalities and instabilities, in Powell, M., Bauld, L. & Clarke, K. (Eds) Social Policy Review 17: analysis and debate in social policy, 2005, pp. 167–182. Bristol: Policy Press. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Cohen, B., Moss, P., Petrie, P. & Wallace, J. (2004) A New Deal for Children? Re-forming Education and Care in England, Scotland and Sweden. Bristol: Policy Press. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Council of the European Union (2006) Council Conclusions on Efficiency and Equity in Education and Training. Brussels: European Commission. Google Scholar | |
| Council of the European Union (2011) Council Conclusions on Early Childhood Education and Care: providing all our children with the best start for the world of tomorrow. Brussels: European Commission. Google Scholar | |
| Dahlberg, G. & Moss, P. (2005) Ethics and Politics in Early Childhood Education and Care. Abingdon: RoutledgeFalmer. Google Scholar | |
| Dale, R. & Robertson, S. (2004) Interview with Boaventura de Sousa Santos, Globalisation, Societies and Education, 2(2), 147–160. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Daly, M. (2010) Shifts in Family Policy in the UK under New Labour, Journal of European Social Policy, 20(5), 433–443. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0958928710380480 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Department for Education (DfE) (2012) Early Years Foundation Stage. London: DfE. Google Scholar | |
| Department for Education (DfE) (2013) More Great Childcare. London: DfE. Google Scholar | |
| Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) (1998) Meeting the Childcare Challenge: a consultation document. London: DfEE. Google Scholar | |
| Department for Education and Skills (DfES) (2003) Every Child Matters. Norwich: The Stationery Office. Google Scholar | |
| Ellison, G., Barker, A. & Kulasuriya, T. (2009) Work and Care: a study of modern parents. Manchester: EHRC/YouGov. Google Scholar | |
| Esping-Andersen, G., Gallie, D., Hemerijck, A. & Myles, J. (2002) Why We Need a New Welfare State. Oxford: Oxford University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/0199256438.001.0001 Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| European Commission (2011) Early Childhood Education and Care: providing our children with the best start for the world of tomorrow. Brussels: European Commission. Google Scholar | |
| European Council (2000) Lisbon European Council 23 and 24 March 2000, Presidency Conclusions. Brussels: European Union. Google Scholar | |
| European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EFILWC) (2009) Foundation Findings: childcare services in Europe. Dublin: EFILWC. Google Scholar | |
| Fagnani, J. (2012) Recent Reforms in Childcare and Family Policies in France and Germany: What was at stake?, Children and Youth Services Review, 43(3), 509–516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.10.011 Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Ferrarini, T. (2006) Families, States and Labour Markets. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. http://dx.doi.org/10.4337/9781847201669 Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Gupta, N., Smith, N. & Verner, M. (2008) The Impact of Nordic Countries' Family Friendly Policies on Employment, Wages, and Children, Review of Economics of the Household, 6(1), 65–89. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Heckman, J.J. (2000) Invest in the Very Young. Chicago, IL: Ounce of Prevention Fund and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy Studies. Google Scholar | |
| Hemerijck, A. (2012) Two or Three Waves of Welfare State Transformation?, in Morel, N., Palier, B. & Palme, J. (Eds) Towards a Social Investment Welfare State? Ideas, Polices and Challenges, pp. 33–56. Bristol: Policy Press. Google Scholar | |
| Hiilamo, H. (2002) The Rise and Fall of Nordic Family Policy? Stakes Research Reports 125. Helsinki: Stakes. Google Scholar | |
| Hiilamo, H. (2008) Promoting Children's Welfare in the Nordic Countries. Reports 2008:15. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Google Scholar | |
| Treasury, HM (2004) Choice for Parents, the Best Start for Children: a ten year strategy for childcare. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO). Google Scholar | |
| Hopkins, R., Stokes, L. & Wilkinson, D. (2010) Measuring Outcomes for Public Service Users (MOPSU) Project: quality and outcomes of early years education. Newport: Office for National Statistics. Google Scholar | |
| Kajanoja, J. (2005) Hyvä lapsuus - avain menestyvään kansantalouteen, in Takala, P. (Ed.) Onko meillä malttia sijoittaa lapsiin?, pp. 234–247. Helsinki: Kelan tutkimusosasto. Google Scholar | |
| Keely, B. (2007) How What You Know Shapes Your Life. Paris: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Google Scholar | |
| Lewis, J. (2008) Childcare Policies and the Politics of Choice, Political Quarterly, 79(4), 499–507. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467–923X.2008.00962.x Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Mahon, R. & McBride, S. (2009) Standardizing and Disseminating Knowledge: The role of the OECD in global governance, European Political Science Review, 1(1), 83–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1755773909000058 Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Meyer, J. (2000) Globalization. Sources and Effects on National States and Societies, International Sociology, 15(2), 233–248. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0268580900015002006 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Millar, J. (2001) Family Policy under New Labour, from Implicit to Explicit. Paper presented at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, 15 March. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry for Social Affairs and Health (SHM) (2002) Statsrådets principbeslut of riksomfattande riktlinjer för förskoleverksamheten. Publikationer 2002:28. Helsingfors: Social- och hälsovårdsministeriet. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry for Social Affairs and Health (SHM) (2006) Social Welfare and Health Report 2006. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry for Social Affairs and Health (SHM) (2007) Varhaiskasvatustutkimus jad varhaiskasvatuksen kansainvälinen kehitys. Selvityksiä 2007:6. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry for Social Affairs and Health (SHM) (2008a) Varhaiskasvatus vuoteen 2020. Varhaiskasvatuksen neuvottelukunnan loppuraportti. STM selvityksuä 2007:72. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry for Social Affairs and Health (2008b) Early Childhood Education and Care up to 2020. Final report of the Advisory Board for Early Childhood Education and Care. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Google Scholar | |
| Ministry for Social Affairs and Health (2012) The National Development Programme for Social Welfare and Health Care, The KASTE Programme 2012–2015. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Google Scholar | |
| Morel, N., Palier, B. & Palme, J. (2012) Beyond the Welfare State as We Knew It, in Morel, N., Palier, B. & Palme, J. (Eds) Towards a Social Investment State? Ideas, Policies and Challenges, pp. 1–30. Bristol: Policy Press. Google Scholar | |
| Moss, P. (2006) Farwell to Childcare?, National Institute Economic Review, 195, 70–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0027950106064040 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Moss, P. (2007). Meetings across the Paradigmatic Divide, Educational Philosophy and Theory, 39(3), 229–245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469–5812.2007.00325.x Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| National Archives (2002) Employment Act. London: The Stationery Office. Google Scholar | |
| National Archives (2006) The Childcare Act. London: The Stationery Office. Google Scholar | |
| National Children's Bureau (NCB) (2008) Early Years Timeline 1990 to Mid 2008. London: Early Childhood Unit, NCB. Google Scholar | |
| Nygård, M. (2010) Family Policy in the Context of Social Change and Post-industrialism. A Study of Family Policy Positions among Finnish Parties 1970–2007, Social & Public Policy Review, 4(1), 50–78. Google Scholar | |
| Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (1998) Human Capital Investment: an international comparison. Paris: Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, OECD. Google Scholar | |
| Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2001) Starting Strong. Paris: OECD. Google Scholar | |
| Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2002) OECD Country Note: early childhood education and care policy in the United Kingdom. Paris: OECD. Google Scholar | |
| Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2006) Starting Strong II: early childhood education and care. Paris: OECD. Google Scholar | |
| Plowden Report, The (1967) Children and their Primary Schools: a report of the Central Advisory Council for Education (England). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Google Scholar | |
| Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) (2013) Concern over Schoolification. PACEY. http://www.pacey.org.uk/news/news/july_2013_news/concern_over_schoolification.aspx (accessed July 15, 2013). Google Scholar | |
| Penn, H. (2010) Shaping the Future: How human capital arguments about investment in early childhood are being (mis)used in poor countries, in Yelland, N. (Ed.) Contemporary Perspective on Early Childhood Education, pp. 49–65. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Google Scholar | |
| Penn, H. (2012) Childcare Markets: Do they work?, in Lloyd, E. & Penn, H. (Eds) Childcare Markets: can they deliver an equitable service? Bristol: Policy Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781847429339.003.0002 Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Pfau-Effinger, B. (2005) Culture and Welfare State Policies: Reflections on a complex interrelation, Journal of Social Policy, 34(1), 3–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0047279404008232 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Piper, C. (2008) Investing in Children, Policy, Law and Practice in Context. Cullompton: Willan Publishing. Google Scholar | |
| Powell, M. (2007) The Mixed Economy of Welfare and the Social Division of Welfare, in Powell, M. (Ed.) Understanding the Mixed Economy of Welfare. Bristol: Policy Press. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Randall, V. (2000) The Politics of Child Daycare In Britain. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Google Scholar | |
| Richardson, H. (2013) Gove Primary Curriculum ‘Abolishes Childhood’. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23243985 (accessed July 15, 2013). Google Scholar | |
| Salmi, M. & Lammi-Taskula, J. (2011) Job Quality, Work-Family Tensions and Well-being: The Finnish case, in Drobnič, S. & Guillén, A. (Eds) Work-Life Balance in Europe. The Role of Job Quality. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Sylva, K., Melhuish, T., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I. & Taggart, B. (2004) The Effective Provision of PreSchool Education (EPPE) Project: final report. A Longitudinal Study Funded by the DfES 1997–2004. Nottingham: Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Google Scholar | |
| Wastell, D. & White, S. (2012) Blinded by Neuroscience: Social policy, the family and the infant brain, Families, Relationships and Societies, 1(3), 397–414. http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/204674312X656301 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| White, L.A. (2011) The Internationalization of Early Childhood Education and Care Issues: Framing gender justice and child well-being, Governance, 24(2), 285–309. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468–0491.2011.01520.x Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| World Bank (2003) Life Long Learning in the Global Knowledge Economy: challenges for developing countries. Washington: World Bank. Google Scholar | Crossref |
