The article critiques the innovative policy documents constructing New Zealand early childhood pedagogies since the advent of the first curriculum "Te Whariki" (1996) and argues that the two most compelling of these reflect the consumerist experiences of childhood today. The acclaim which followed the publication of "Te…

The UNESCO-UNICEF joint regional policy review project was launched in September 2006 with the aim to support the countries of Asia-Pacific region in meeting the first goal of Education For All (EFA) on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) by identifying, documenting and sharing good practices as well as constraints and challenges in early…

Compares two indigenous minority groups--the Basques in Spain and the Druze in Israel--and the ways in which they differ in their emphasis on early childhood programs that attempt to retain cultural and linguistic or religious heritages. (BB)

Characteristics of preschool provision for early childhood education in Malawi are compared with that in Kenya and Zambia. Highlighted are government involvement in preschool education as a reflection of changing economic and social structures, national preschool objectives, national and local teacher training programs, curriculum development,…

The history of the development of the infant school in Hungary is traced with special emphasis on the influence of European Models, especially the English infant school and the work of Theresa Brunszvik in Hungary. (MS)

Describes the history of early childhood education in Jamaica and current trends. Considers the sponsorship of early childhood education and care programs; child care philosophy and policy; the variety of child care and education programs available, including Basic Schools, Infant Schools, and day care centers; teacher qualifications;…

Analysis of early childhood human resource development and management policies in South Korea and six other countries precipitated guidelines for establishing national policy for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in South Korea. The guidelines address basic principles, educational purpose, early childhood education and care operation,…

Discusses the views and attitudes of preschool and kindergarten teachers towards parental involvement and parent-teacher partnership during early childhood education in Greece. Identifies types of involvement needed in order to prepare for future policy-making on preschool education. (AS)

Discusses France's 1989 New Policy for Education (NPE), which identifies three ways of preventing academic failure: school policies stressing family involvement and instructional continuity; reorganization of primary education into three training cycles; and assessment of student competencies. Considers NPE's position on knowledge development.…

Describes preschool education as it is integrated into the day care system in Finland. Discusses founding of first Finnish kindergartens, growing need for more extensive day care, the current municipal day care system, the Day Care Act guaranteeing the subjective right to day care for all children under age 7, and the educational role of day care.…

Describes the child care system in Sweden, focusing on policy measures and legislation for children and families. Describes types of day care programs, including centers, open preschools, family day care, school age services, children requiring special support, and children from other cultures. Outlines recently proposed guidelines for preschool…

Examines 1990s school-related activities and rhetoric of Norway's Ombudsman for Children related to: (1) children's rights to education, especially religious and moral education and in the closest environment; (2) rights in education, including a secure procedure for individual complaints; and (3) rights through education to participation and…

Examined attitudes of 186 early childhood educators regarding the "Desirable Outcomes for Children's Learning on Entering Compulsory Education" survey in the United Kingdom. Found that, although there is some consensus among preschool workers in different settings concerning early-years curriculum priorities, those within an education…

Presents overview of Hong Kong preschool education. Considers the history of preschool education, early childhood curriculum, training of early childhood professionals, and monitoring of standard services. Discusses trends in Hong Kong preschool education and problems in early childhood education, including exclusion from the main education…