A guide to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) setting with a particular focus on social-, legal- and health-related issues within an Irish context.

• Discusses the emergence of the childcare profession and the legislation and policies that shaped its transformation, from pre-regulation times to the present day.
• Links child protection thinking and concepts directly to childcare practice, through the use of case studies and activities, to encourage understanding and good practice.
• Summarises current research into and guidelines for equality and diversity practice, focusing on their application in an ECCE setting.
• Defines child health and well-being and discusses them in the context of current policy, legislation, research and Siolta standards.
• Describes and applies to practice the role of the advanced early years practitioner and their professional development, using self-reflection and key interpersonal skills exercises.
• Case studies and In Practice examples throughout illustrate the relationship between concepts and practice.

WRITTEN FOR

QQI Level 6 Early Childhood Care and Education (6M2007) and the following modules:

6N1945 Childhood Social, Legal & Health Studies

6N1944 Early Childhood Curriculum

6N1945 Supervision in Early Childhood Care

6N1946 Work Experience

6N1947 Work Practice