Since 2004 and the enlargement of the EU, increased migration from Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to the UK necessitates sustained research on the implications for children, their families and practitioners in the early years. This paper draws upon a sociocultural approach to bring into focus family story-sharing practices. We report…

Nature kindergartens present opportunities to foster a love of natural environments through formative early childhood experiences. Three early childhood education settings -- one in Denmark, one in Finland and one in Scotland -- provided insight into nature kindergarten provision that has historically attracted a high proportion of male staff. At…

Young children's active participation is high on the UK's political, research and policy agendas; at least in rhetoric. However, critiques have emerged regarding the extent to which this rhetoric has been translated into practice and whether participatory rights are linked to the implementation of other human rights. Drawing on an ethnographic…

This article describes the formation of children's social interactions around technologies in preschools. This paper presents evidence from a study that explores how 3- to 5-year-old children construct their social interactions through the mediation of their peers while using technological resources. Utilising a systematic and iterative data…

The study examined how preschool intervention programmes set up by three Scottish local authorities changed parents' cognitions. Quantitative parent outcomes were measured using Parenting Daily Hassles Scales (N = 88). A matched comparison group of parents (N = 55) recruited from the same areas of disadvantage but whose children did not attend the…

Uses data from study of "goodness of fit" between preschool mathematical curriculum policy and the content framework in Scottish guidelines. Outlines a tool and process for eliciting use of the mathematical frameworks managers in planning curriculum, giving examples of frameworks produced by the tool. Also outlines a model of four key…

Used questionnaire and in-depth interviews to examine Scottish parents' preferences, knowledge, and expectations regarding preschool education selection. Found that parents prioritized the safety and care of their children above all else. Selection of type of provision depended upon the relative value attached to education, setting, convenience,…