Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. 1. Child development and learning : Development from conception to 3: new understanding ; Play as active learning ; Play and risk ; Creative approaches to teaching and learning: Kodály ; Creative approaches to teaching and learning: transient art -- pt. 2. The child in the socio-cultural context : The impact of changes in family structure ; The role of the parent in the 21st century ; The role of the community in childcare and education ; The place of the school in the 21st century ; The place of technology in early years care and education -- pt. 3. International educational approaches : Practice and provision for children aged 0-8 in Sweden ; Practice and provision in Reggio Emilia ; Practice and provision in New Zealand: Te Whāriki ; HighScope ; An approach to experiential education: Ferre Laevers -- pt. 4. The developing professional : Concepts and status of early years' professionalism ; Inter-professional practice ; The practising professional as researcher ; Working in a team ; The issue of professional autonomy.