Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-512/ Policy makers, educators, and scholars observe with interest how Nordic countries organise services for the education and care of the youngest children. The ‘Nordic model’ of ECEC has become synonymous with a holistic, children’s rights-based approach to pedagogy, grounded in democratic values. But as societies keep changing, what exactly characterises the ‘Nordic model’ today? Given the diversity between and within countries, are there common principles?We investigated the values and principles that underpin the evaluation of early childhood education and care in five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden). We found that a ‘Nordic’ approach to evaluation still exists, although it is changing, not least under the influence of wider international developments. An important aspect of the ‘Nordic’ approach is the central role given to the local and municipal context.

Documentation in early childhood education is typically seen as a means to enhance the quality of care and education, and as a way to take account of the child’s view. Assessment and Documentation in Early Childhood Education considers the increasing trend towards systematic child documentation especially in early childhood institutions. The authors present ways in which assessment and evaluation is done sometimes explicitly but more often implicitly in these practices, and explore its means, aims, forms, and functions. They also examine the rationalities of child documentation from the perspective of professional practice and professionalism and suggest that documentation and assessment practices can weaken and constrain but also empower and strengthen teachers, children and parents. Topics explored include: Different forms of documentation and assessment Documentation and listening to the children Dilemmas of assessment and documentation Participation by children Involvement of parents This timely book will be appealing for those studying in the field of early childhood education, teacher education, special education, general education, social work, counselling, psychology, sociology, childhood studies, and family studies.

This book sheds light on new research related to welfare state, child care policies, and small children's everyday lives in institutions in Europe. In uniting recent social childhood research, welfare perspectives and historical and comparative approaches, the book explores institutionalization as a feature of the modern child's life.

Finland held the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2016. The Ministry of Education and Culture organised the seminar, Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care – Nordic Challenges and Solutions, as part of the sectoral presidency programme for education and science. The seminar was held on 22 September 2016 at the House of the Estates in Helsinki.This report comprises a series of articles about the presentations held at the seminar. Participants represented ECEC administration, research, and other professionals involved in ECEC from each Nordic country and the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

This book studies the major characteristics of the social pedagogical approach to early childhood education and care. It does so by investigating the distinctive elements of the Nordic approach and tradition. The cultural, educational, and ideological structures and values within the Nordic tradition indicate a strong “social pedagogical” rather than “early education” emphasis. The Nordic tradition applies a social learning approach that emphasizes play, relationships and outdoor life, and presumes that learning takes place through children’s participation in social interaction and processes. Set against this background, the book examines the characteristics of the pedagogue and the important features that develop through the Nordic approach. It compares children educated in the Nordic tradition with those educated in the French-English and Anglo-American tradition. It explores quality in relation to how children can enjoy childhood, and at the same time become able to actively participate in society and develop the social and cognitive skills and competences that individuals require to do well in society.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2024-504/ The report presents results from a Nordic working group under the Nordic senior official´s committee on education and research. The working group was tasked to examine area of early childhood education and care (ECEC) and to compile evidence of qualitative ECEC´s economic significance and even the broader social impact and proof of the return on investment from it. The knowledge gathered indicates that ECEC professionals play a key role in assuring quality in ECEC. During a time of challenging public finances coupled with changes in the operational environment, many Nordic countries now face challenges in recruiting and retaining ECEC professionals. Research also demonstrates the clear benefits of qualitative ECEC to language and socio-emotional skills development. Participation in ECEC also has positive implications for the welfare and income of families and parents.

This review of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in twenty OECD countries describes the social, economic, conceptual and research factors that influence early childhood policy.