Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland: Charting a Century of Developments (1921-2021)

This edited book explores the origins and evolution of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) system on the island of Ireland since the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1921. While the book acknowledges and celebrates the role of parents in caring for and educating their young children within the home, the key focus is on the provisions outside the home for children from birth to six years. It critiques the historical and contemporary provision under a number of key themes including curriculum, the policy and legislative landscapes, inspection and regulation, Irish language provision and professionalisation. Written by key experts and actors from the sector, it makes a unique contribution to the existing literature by bringing together in one collection a critical analysis of the key themes relating to the development of ECEC in Ireland. Moreover, signposts and signals for the future development of the sector are integral to the book. Prof. Nirn Hayes is Visiting Academic at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin and Professor Emerita, Centre for Social and Educational Research, Technological University Dublin. She teaches and researches in early childhood education and care (ECEC) with a particular focus on early learning, curriculum and pedagogy and ECEC policy. She is also the first OMEP Champion and Advocate for Early Childhood Education and Care Ireland. Dr Thomas Walsh is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Education, Maynooth University. His teaching and research interests include history of education, education policy, early childhood education and curriculum studies. He has previously worked as a primary school teacher, an ECEC researcher and as a primary school inspector. Contents: Thomas Walsh/Nirn Hayes: Introduction - Thomas Walsxh: Key actors and organizations in the development and evolution of early childhood education and care provision in Ireland in the twentieth century - Nirn Hayes: Mapping Irish policy development in early childhood education and care: A century of change? - Maura O'Connor: Provision for early childhood education through the infant classes of primary schools - Mire Mhic Mhathna/Mairad Mac Con Iomaire: Early childhood education and care provision through the medium of the Irish language: Carmel Brennan/Arlene Forster - Early childhood education and care curriculum provision and the development of Aistear - Mary Moloney and Geraldine French: The road less travelled: The journey towards establishing a graduate- led early childhood education and care workforce in Ireland - Elizabeth Dunphy/Mire Mhic Mhathna: The history and work of the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) (2001- 2008) - Anne Egan/Sheila Garrity: The legislative and regulatory landscape for early childhood education and care in Ireland - Maresa Duignan/Fiona McDonnell: An overview of the development of government regulation and inspection in the early childhood education and care sector in Ireland, 1921- 2021 - Noel Purdy/Diane McClelland: Provision for early childhood education and care in Northern Ireland, 1921- 2021.