Book review Claire Cameron and Peter Moss (eds), Transforming early childhood in England: Towards a democratic education, UCL Press: London, 2020; 262 pp.: ISBN 9781787357174, £25.00 (pbk)

Kurowski, A. A. (2021) Book review Claire Cameron and Peter Moss (eds), Transforming early childhood in England: Towards a democratic education, UCL Press: London, 2020; 262 pp.: ISBN 9781787357174, £25.00 (pbk). Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 22 (1). pp. 100-101. ISSN 1463-9491

[thumbnail of © The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions] Text (© The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions)
Transforming early childhood in England_ Towards a democratic education.html - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

Download (86kB)

Abstract

This is a refreshing and timely book that uses multiple perspectives on the state of early childhood
education and care (ECEC) in the UK. The words ‘hit’, ‘nail’ and ‘head’ come to mind when reading the analysis of the state of ECEC since the post-war period. The book paints a vivid picture of
efforts to develop and professionalise ECEC against a backdrop of indifference and indecision
from successive governments and reverses of any progress that has been made.
Transforming Early Childhood in England starts with mention of the COVID-19 pandemic and
the effect this may have on ECEC, and there is almost a juxtaposition between this and ‘unfettered
neo-liberalism’. It may be, as the book states, that the COVID-19 pandemic offers opportunities to
rethink and start again, but whether such opportunities will overcome neo-liberal dogma as well is
open to question. The book makes a good case for the ‘tinkering’ that ECEC has undergone.
Without any unified or serious endeavour, ECEC has become a fragmented consumer product left
to the invisible hand of the market. ECEC is, as the book states more than once, based on political
decisions, and decisions supporting ECEC have not been forthcoming.

Publication Type: Articles
Additional Information: Kurowski, Andre A. , Book review: Claire Cameron and Peter Moss (eds), Transforming early childhood in England: Towards a democratic education, UCL Press: London, 2020; 262 pp.: ISBN 9781787357174, £25.00 (pbk), Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood (22, 1) pp. 100-101. Copyright © (The author). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Book review, early childhood, education, care, UK, ECEC
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > HV40 Social service. Social work. Charilty organisation and pracitce > HV697 Protection, assistance and relief > HV701 Children
J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1139 Early childhood education
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Education, Social and Life Sciences > Childhood
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Andre Kurowski
Date Deposited: 02 May 2023 15:36
Last Modified: 02 May 2023 15:36
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/6731

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item
▲ Top

Our address

I’m looking for