This research addresses caregivers and infants in the infant class in the day-care centre. It focuses on an intervention programme with the goal of getting to know the attitudes of caregivers and examining their influence on infants. In the programme, the caregivers will be given the possibility of sharing with peers and of learning contemporary…

This paper explored the challenges to the infant care profession in Hong Kong crèches, with an aim to contribute to the existing early childhood care literature for reference and comparison elsewhere. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 55 childcare workers and 12 supervisors, followed by interviews with some selected participants to examine…

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between early intervention providers' backgrounds and their perceptions of caregiver coaching and auditory skill development. An explanatory sequential design was used with participants of varying backgrounds. In the first phase of the study, participants responded to a survey…

Nonacademic and academic pedagogues working in childhood education are involved in multiple occupational activities. Theoretical frameworks focussing on career development and processes of professionalisation may provide hints about differences in the occupational activities of nonacademic and academic pedagogues as well as with regard to how…

In debate on professionalisation of early childhood education and care professionals (ECEC professionals), the focus is increasingly turning to the ability of ECEC professionals to reflect on and evaluate their own pedagogical practice. Self-reflection is considered a core competence of professional pedagogical practice. So far, little research…

In a European comparison, the childcare profession in Germany has taken a distinct path of development which is closely interwoven with the history of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in general. Institutional choices critical to this path are the assignment of childcare as part of social welfare, the pursuit of a maternalist tradition in…

Well-educated staff consists of multidimensional experts, and this staff is one of the strengths of the Finnish day-care system. The aim of this article is to clarify the development of the expertise of those early childhood educators who have qualified as kindergarten teachers. The data consisted of the early educators' stories (n = 80) of their…

High-quality family childcare (FCC) can positively influence all areas of a child's growth and development. Thus, it is important to invest in efforts to increase quality, including providing professional development to enhance the skills of those caring for children in their homes. This study explores the characteristics of FCC providers who…

The branding of children as "witches", capable of harming others is a widespread practice in some countries in Africa and across the world. There is evidence of this within specific communities and faith groups; however, the extent to which this phenomenon occurs in England is unclear as is the response by childcare professionals,…

A sample of 221 mothers and 48 teachers of pre-school children completed a survey in which they rated the degree of hurtfulness and importance of intervening for relationally or physically aggressive behaviours. Respondents also reacted to two short vignettes depicting aggressive peer conflicts (one physical, one relational) by indicating how an…

This study examined effects of professional development for child-care staff on language acquisition of children ages 14-36 months. Child-care staff from 44 child-care centres agreed to participate in the study. Child-care staff from one-half of the child-care centres were randomly assigned to a one-time, four-hour workshop followed by three…

Social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education educate students for practice at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This paper presents a critical analysis of social work education in the United States. The analysis suggests that graduates of social work programs do not appear to master the skills, knowledge and values…

High-quality care is essential to the optimal development of young children. While many children attend childcare away from the home for an average of six hours per day, the environment is not necessarily of the highest quality. An assessment of the indoor and outdoor space, curriculum and activities, teacher and child interactions, materials,…

Describes effective aspects of a 4-day inservice teacher education program offered in the context of Britain's Brunel Able Children's Education center. Discusses the nature of higher ability in children, identification of ability, classroom strategies, and the role of questioning. Describes a learning project based on word explorations to…

Examined impact of a professional development school (PDS) partnership between a university and two early childhood centers on the quality of care and education within programs. Found that the partnerships increased quality of care and education in both programs. Findings suggest that universities can have an impact at a local level if they reach…