Introduction

The early years sector is going through a period of unprecedented change. This has resulted in significant challenges for the early years workforce and it is crucial that settings, teams, leaders and individual practitioners respond to these if they wish to continue to provide the best care and education for young children.

This timely text identifies and addresses the key challenges for those working with young children from managing personal and professional change, adapting to new legislation and considering new ways of thinking about children’s early learning. It considers the core knowledge and understanding of good practice that enables practitioners to respond appropriately and with confidence to issues they face on daily basis.
Covering a wide range of diverse topics, including professional identity, neuroscience, outdoor education, literacy, special educational needs, the family and the ‘risk‘ factor, the book encourages the reader to reflect upon their own views and attitudes towards change practice and includes:
• Chapter overviews and summary boxes
• Case studies to highlight good practice
• Questions to promote debate
• Annotated further reading
Aimed specifically at those that are studying and working with children from birth to 8, this book will be a core text for Foundation Degrees in early years, early childhood studies and those working towards Early Years Teacher Status.