Sharing Web Resources

I have continued my research on the British Association for Early Childhood Education international website this week. They have been in existence since 1923 and focus their efforts on issues around early childhood and how the issues and trends affect the work of providers. According to the website, www.early-education.org.uk/, "They began their existence as the Nursery School Association whose aims were to advance nursery education and to promote the training of nursery teachers" (our history). Through their work, "Early Education supports the professional development of early years practitioners working in maintained, private, voluntary, independent and home based settings."

The British Association for Early Childhood Education

136 Cavell Street  London E1 2JA
Telephone: 0207 5395 400   Facsimile: 0207 5395 409
office@early-education.org.uk

 My Interest -
What interests me most about this website is the plethora of resources and training opportunities offered by the Association. They offer many articles on child development topics to enhance a providers learning and application in the early childhood programs in England. As I coordinate and design professional development in our local area, I am always researching new resources of important information on child development and program topics to integrate into curriculum. 

Issues/Trends --- Project Work

The work of The British Association for Early Childhood Education is conducted through projects, campaigns, and policy work. One issue I found as I researched the website and the work of the Association, is that "government decisions threatened to decimate quality early childhood education and care in England and undermine their own agenda to support the most disadvantaged families first and foremost in 2010" (projects). This threatens the emphasis on universal services for all children; the focus would be on providing care and education for only the most disadvantaged children. Where does this leave the rest of the children who deserve the best care and educational experiences? This contrasts with our study of quality care and education for all children, no matter the demographics (race, ethnicity, economic status, etc). Furthermore, a specific consequence of this issue concentrates around the requirement to hire qualified staff. This upsets be greatly. According to Early Education, "Early Education has grave concerns that this change will inhibit the drive to ensure that all early childhood education settings deliver the highest quality early years provision." One of the benchmarks of quality care for children is the requirement of highly-qualified teaching staff and providers. I commend the work and campaigning of people who are connected with the Association to advocate for the highest of quality in the early childhood programs in England, for all children deserve the best care and learning experiences to be successful in life.