Previous edition: 2010.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. 1. Policy and research -- The policy agenda for early childhood services / Gillian Pugh -- Facing austerity : the local authority response / Linda Uren -- International snapshots of provision for babies and young children / Sacha Powell and Kathy Goouch -- Quality in early childhood education / Sandra Mathers, Fiona Roberts and Kathy Sylva -- Inspecting and evaluating the quality and standards of early years and childcare provision / Brenda Spencer and Jan Dubiel -- pt. 2. Practice -- 'Seen and heard' : exploring assumptions, beliefs and values underpinning young children's participation / Y. Penny Lancaster and Perpetua Kirby -- The early years curriculum / Bernadette Duffy -- The tools of assessment : watching and learning / Caron Carter and Cathy Nutbrown -- Sure Start Children's Centres / Ann Crichton -- The role of health in early years services / Kate Billingham and Jacqueline Barnes -- Diversity, inclusion and learning in the early years / Iram Siraj-Blatchford -- Inclusion and entitlement in the early years for disabled young children and young children with special educational needs / Philippa Stobbs, Elizabeth Andrews and Julie Revels -- Working with parents in the early years / Mary Crowley and Helen Wheeler -- Safeguarding children in the early years / Harriet Ward and Rebecca Brown -- pt. 3. Workforce -- Training and workforce issues in the early years / Pauline Jones -- Leading and working in multi-agency teams / Carol Aubrey.