The Early Advantage 1—Early Childhood Systems That Lead by Example

Learn how exemplary countries are dealing with the challenges and joys of advancing the development of their youngest citizens. In this book, Sharon Lynn Kagan and her contributors systematically examine how six diverse countries go about envisioning, designing, and implementing their services to young children and their families. The Early Advantage 1 sheds light on new and exciting approaches to early childhood education and care (ECEC) that are contributing to the quality, equity, efficiency, and sustainability of services for young children. Brimming with fresh insights, the text provides concrete examples of successfully implemented strategies and methods that warrant attention from other countries wishing to improve their early childhood services. The 2-year comparative analysis upon which this volume is based was made possible with funding and support from the National Center on Education and the Economy’s (NCEE) Center on International Education Benchmarking.

Book Features:

• Presents groundbreaking approaches to early childhood policy, practice, and service delivery from around the globe.
• Based on contributions from leading scholars and policymakers from six countries: Australia, England, Finland, Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore.
• Acknowledges the important role of culture in shaping the quality and array of services afforded to young children.
• Uses rigorous research that includes common designs, vetted protocols, and repeated validations.
• Includes detailed country fact sheets with data on demographics, governmental expenditures, staff qualifications, mandated monitoring systems, and more.
• Is part of NCEE’s research into the 9 Building Blocks for a World-Class Education System.

Sharon Lynn Kagan is the Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy and co-director of the National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University and professor adjunct at the Child Study Center, Yale University. Her books include The Early Care and Education Teaching Workforce at the Fulcrum, Early Childhood Governance, and Early Childhood Systems.

Contributors:

Rebecca Bull, co-principal investigator, Singapore.

Alfredo Bautista, contributing author, Singapore.

Lily Fritz, contributing author, England.

Bridget Healey, contributing author, Australia.

Sharon Lynn Kagan, principal investigator, U.S.

Kristiina Kumpulainen, co-principal investigator, Finland.

Eva Landsberg, contributing author, National Center for Children and Families, U.S.

Carrie Lau, contributing author, Hong Kong.

Mugyeong Moon, co-principal investigator, Republic of Korea.

Grace Murkett, contributing author, England.

Tom Peachey, contributing author, Australia.

Nirmala Rao, co-principal investigator, Hong Kong.

Kathy Sylva, co-principal investigator, England.

Collette Tayler, co-principal investigator, Australia.

“Perhaps the greatest contribution Kagan makes is her synthesis of the data in the final chapter… leaders, policymakers and graduate students in both early childhood and public administration would find this book most enlightening”

—Teachers College Record

"Kagan and her team describe a field at a very important inflection point, and they provide a framework for pushing on to the next stage. My guess is that this book will be remembered not just for incisive reporting and analysis, but as the book the field needed to get to the other side of that inflection point."
—From the Foreword by Marc Tucker, president, National Center on Education and the Economy

“This volume pushes the early childhood field far beyond its traditional focus on services toward understanding systems, culture, governance, and sustainability—all of which are critical if societies are to realize the developmental potential of all children.”
—Hirokazu Yoshikawa, New York University

"This essential work illustrates how nations can provide quality early education and care to young children through exemplary approaches from around the world. A vital resource from the leading global experts in the field, it is a must-read for all those seeking to meet the joys and challenges of advancing the development of their youngest citizens."
—Linda Darling-Hammond, Stanford University

Table of Contents

Foreword by Marc Tucker

Acknowledgments

About the Sponsoring Organizations

Chapter 1. Changing the Narratives
   Sharon Lynn Kagan

Chapter 2. Maintaining the Reform Momentum in Australia
   Collette Tayler, Tom Peachey, and Bridget Healey

Chapter 3. Laying the Foundation for Lifelong Skills: Universal and Integrated Early Childhood Services in England
   Kathy Sylva, Grace Murkett, and Lily Fritz

Chapter 4. A Principled, Personalized, Trusting, and Child-Centric ECEC System in Finland
   Kristiina Kumpulainen

Chapter 5. Responsive Policymaking and Implementation: Enhancing ECEC System Quality and Equity in Hong Kong
   Nirmala Rao and Carrie Lau

Chapter 6. Progress via Innovation and Investment: Setting the Stage for Greater Harmonization in the Republic of Korea
   Mugyeong Moon and Eva Landsberg

Chapter 7. A Careful Balancing Act: Evolving and Harmonizing a Hybrid System of ECEC in Singapore
   Rebecca Bull and Alfredo Bautista

Chapter 8. Acting on New Narratives
   Sharon Lynn Kagan and Eva Landsberg 

Appendix A: Country Fact Sheet—Australia

Appendix B: Country Fact Sheet—England

Appendix C: Country Fact Sheet—Finland

Appendix D: Country Fact Sheet—Hong Kong

Appendix E: Country Fact Sheet—Republic of Korea

Appendix F: Country Fact Sheet—Singapore

About the Contributors

Index