Gillian Pugh is Chief Executive of Coram Family and a highly respected practitioner in her field.

• Introduction - Bernadette DuffyPART ONE: POLICY AND RESEARCHThe Policy Agenda for Early Childhood Services - Gillian Pugh Facing Austerity - The Local Authority Response - Linda UrenInternational Snapshots of Provision for Babies and Young Children - Sacha Powell and Kathy GoouchQuality 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 DubielPART TWO: PRACTICESeen 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 NutbrownSure Start Children′s Centres - Ann Crichton The Role of Health in Early Years Services - Kate Billingham and Jacqueline BarnesDiversity, Inclusion and Learning in the Early Years - Iram Siraj-BlatchfordInclusion and Entitlement in the Early Years for Disabled Young Children and Young Children with Special Educational Needs - Philippa Stobbs, Elizabeth Andrews and Julie RevelsWorking with Parents - Mary Crowley and Helen WheelerSafeguarding Children in the Early years - Harriet Ward and Rebecca BrownPART THREE: WORKFORCETraining and Workforce Issues in the Early Years - Pauline Jones Leading and Working in Multi-Agency Teams - Carol Aubrey

′The sixth edition of this important book brings it up to date during a very challenging political time for early years. Read it if you want to understand more about recent early years history and the challenges and dilemmas facing all those who are passionate about every young child′s entitlement to quality provision′-Helen Moylett, Early Learning Consultancy′A truly comprehensive introduction to the prodigious range of issues that shape early childhood today. This book not only explains but considers and challenges key contemporary issues in the field. The addition of safeguarding with updates on policy and agenda make this book almost unbeatable! Highly recommended′-Philippa Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, Sheffield Hallam University