Early Childhood EducationRights, Research and PolicyAnne B. SmithNZ-UK Link Foundation Visiting ProfessorUniversity of Otago

Early Childhood EducationRights, Research and PolicyAnne B. SmithNZ-UK Link Foundation Visiting ProfessorUniversity of Otago

Definition and ValueRights are claims that are justifiable on legal or moral grounds (James & James, 2008)They provide rights holders with respect and are a resource for child advocates Rights-holders can exercise agency agents make decisions, negotiate with others, change things (Freeman, 2011)

Respect for childrenNot only is the Convention a nearly universally adopted expression of respect for children as persons, but it is also unparalleled in its conceptual breadth. No other human-rights treaty directly touches on so many domains of life. (Melton, 2005, p. 648).

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the ChildChildren should have be provided with education that helps them meet their potential - the development of the childs personality, talents and abilities(29)Children should be protected from harmful, neglectful or abusive treatment (19)There should be no discrimination on grounds of gender, SES ethnicity, disability (2)Children have a right to survival and development (6)Children should have a say in their own lives, and access to information (12 and 13)

Challenging Dominant ConstructionsConstructing children entirely as dependents denies them the chance to act for themselves;Children are resourceful as well as vulnerable;Position children as authoritative knowers transfer of learning, persistence, engagement (Carr, Smith, et al, 2010 Learning in the Making).

New Lens on ChildhoodFROMPassive recipient of adults teaching, protection and careTOChildren as social actors and active participants in constructing their own lives

Theoretical PerspectivesMove from Developmental Psychology Normative approachChildren as vulnerable objects of concernUniversalizing claimsEmergence of interdisciplinary field of Childhood StudiesLinks with sociocultural theory multiple cultural pathways to learning, context of social relationships and interactions, guided participation towards agency

ECE Policy in NZ 1986- 2008an integrated system of education and care a bicultural, holistic, socioculturally-oriented curriculum (Te Whriki); innovative assessment (Learning Stories) a strategic plan (Ng Huarahi Arataki) improving participation and qualitythe 20 hours ECE for 3 and 4 year-olds policy

1. Integration 1986-1987Division of preschool (education for middle-class children)/childcare (care for children whose parents had to work)Integration of ECE under Education DeptIntegrated 3 year training (benchmark)Unified funding and regulatory framework

Role of Research and RightsRight of child to a quality ECE regardless of age, mothers work status, or hours Visits by Urie Bronfenbrenner, Bettye Caldwell (developmental psych but sociocultural)US longitudinal studies (Perry, Abecedarian, Syracuse studies)Shaped arguments that ECE had a lasting effect on childs well-being and was a useful investment.

2. Curriculum and Assessment in ECE

Te Whriki (Early Childhood Curriculum) is oriented towards encouraging autonomy, exploration, commitment and communicationEmphasis on learning rather than performance - meaningful problem solving rather than skillsChildren are valued as active learners who choose, plan and challengeA climate of reciprocity and listening to children - how their feelings, curiosity and interest are engaged

Assessment: Learning Stories Formative assessment - ethnographic, interpretive and narrative methodsA holistic transactional model - encouraging children to become competent and confident learnersFocusing on dispositionsInclusion of parents and childrens voices

Including the Childs Voice Assessments that include the childs voice or children making a contribution to their assessments encourage an orientation towards learning goals. Teachers who pay careful attention to childrens voices gain windows into their world views and assumptions. (Carr, et al. 2005, p. 3, p. 4)

Outcomes of This ApproachTeachers have positive belief in childrens competenceMore involvement and support from familiesTeachers grow in confidence and willingness to try out new thingsChildren own their own learningEveryone waits with bated breath as they hear stories they have heard so many times before but never lose interest in hearing again (Carr et al, 2004

Role of Research and RightsRights incorporated into philosophy: voice, agency, participation;Informed by ecological and sociocultural research (Bronfenbrenner, Bruner, Donaldson);Warm engaging relationships (Howes & Droege,1993; Greenberg, 1992) not formal instruction;Qualitative research contributed to resource development (Podmore, Carr), evaluation projects looked at outcomes (Linda Mitchell).

3. Early Childhood Strategic PlanMeade Working Party (2000) recommended; Universal entitlement to free, high quality ECEReview of regulatory and funding systemsWidespread consultation with EC sectorGovernment response - Pathways to the Future: Ng Huarahi Arataki 2002-2012

Three GoalsIncreasing participation in quality ECE services;Improving quality of ECE services;Promoting collaborative relationships.

Key changesDramatic increase in funding (doubled since 2007 and trebled since 2004);Moves to a qualified EC workforce (currently 75.3%);By 2007 50% will be registered teachersBy 2012 100% will be registered teachersReview of funding and regulationsBetter ratios and group sizes2004 government promised 20 hours of free ECE for all 3-4 year-olds

Role of Research and RightsRights philosophy incorporated in SP Working Party Report right of every child to free high quality ECE;Literature review on Effects of ECE (Smith et al, 2000) commissioned by MoE informed TW;NZ longitudinal study Competent Children Competent Learners.

Outcomes of PoliciesHigh participation rates in ECE from 92% in 2002 to 95% in 2012, 90.9% for Mori, 86.8% for Pasifika; Shift to longer hours 40% enrolled for 20 hours or more;2008 UNICEF report NZ 6th highest in OECD for participation rates;Improvements in quality (Mitchell, 2011), NZ rated 9th out of 45 countries for affordability.

A Side Effect of PoliciesRapid expansion of private-for-profit centres (identical entitlement to funding);Growth of 47% private services (2007 to 2011), compared to 2.8% in community sector;Profits to owners or to shareholders;Poorer salaries, working conditions, services located in higher income areas.

Fiscal RestraintNational government comes to power in economic downturn 2008, they describe blow out in EC funding;Immediate cuts to:Professional developmentCentres of InnovationGoal of 100% qualified teachersImprovements in ratios.

BUDGET: 20th May 2010Budget a bitter blow for qualityPreschool costs to riseEarly childhood educators devastatedECE budget brutal blow to children and familiesBudget launches attack on quality teaching for youngest learnersBlack Budget for Early Childhood EducationChildcare funding slashedEarly Childhood Education Being Targeted by National For Funding Cuts 22/4/10

Qualification and quality divides

It is a matter of personal belief as to whether a high proportion of all centre staff should be trained teachers. John Key, Prime Minister, 2010It is a matter of an informed and evidence-based educational decision. These questions would never be raised about adults who teach 5-6 (or older) year-olds in school.

We had hoped that 100% qualified teachers for all children in EC made us different from other countries .and would contribute to the governments aim of equitable and quality outcomes for children from all backgrounds.

Margaret Carr and Linda Mitchell, 2010.

Research evidence?There is no research evidence that centres with 100% qualified teachers are better than with 80%

Anne Tolley, Minister of Education, 2010

Such research would be hard to do. There are few countries that employ 100% qualified ECE teachers. There isnt any research either which shows that 100% qualified staff isnt better than 80% Anne Smith, 2010

Recent Research (Meade et al, 2012)To compare the quality of centres with 100% qualified staff and centres with 80% qualified staff.100% qualified centresMore open-ended questions;More engagement in sustained shared thinking;Children more independent and more focused.

Directions for change 2002-20122011Labour: investment in inputsNational: accounting for outputs

Compulsory ECE for children of beneficiariesAll beneficiary parents will be required to send their children to for at least 15 hours a week from age three - a way to ensure children of beneficiaries "get the best possible start in life".flexibility for social sector agency staff to work with these parents to make suitable arrangements. a graduated sanction system where parents would receive reminders of their obligations before losing half of benefits.

ConclusionsA childrens rights perspective and UNCRC are important tools for change;Including childrens voice builds better policies and practices;Research is most helpful if there is political will;Alliances between advocates for children and researchers essential.

******In this paper we will discuss how the new orientation towards constructing childhood arising out of childrens rights discourse, sociology of childhood and sociocultural theory, is developing coming to be known as CHILDHOOD STUDIES. Children have traditionally lacked voice and visibility, but slowly a recognition of childrens role as social actors who are active co-constructors of meaning and experts on childhood is emerging. Powerful normative models have in the past shaped our assumptions about what children can and cannot do, and many of these greatly underestimate childrens competence. Children have been the invisible and mute objects of concern, and have not been understood as agents who have a point of view about the world. Like women twenty or thirty years ago, they are considered weak, vulnerable, in need of protection, and lacking in control over what happens to them.

How these ideas and accompanying research are beginning to inform policy and practice in government planning for children, early childhood education and family law, in New Zealand. *******************NZ has found itself going Back to the qualification debate again that we thought had been rested and won a decade ago.*A lot of countries have two tiers of staff in ECE nursery nurses and nursery teachers and we were saying 100% teachers.**The different political positions are evident the ECE policy blueprints developed:

Labour:Quality participation for all children100% Qualified teachers for all childrenGovernment funding recognition of costs of quality

National:Containing the costValue for moneyAccountabilityTargeting those children not participating*A lot of countries have two tiers of staff in ECE nursery nurses and nursery teachers and we were saying 100% teachers.**The three examples I have discussed, illustrate changes in approach to childrens issues in the public arena. Tentatively these three examples of New Zealands successes in improving childrens well-being, can be linked to the rethinking of childhood which I have outlined in this chapter. The proviso is, however, that continuing resources, and training will need to be provided to enable effective implementation of these enlightened policies and practices for children. Policies for children are vulnerable to other demands on the national purse and do not necessarily bring votes.NZ is a small country which may facilitate an ongoing dialogue between researchers in universities (such as the Childrens Issues Centre), NGOs, the professional community and government. It has certainly been most rewarding for researchers like those at the Childrens Issues Centre to see their research findings being reflected in changes to government policies. Just as we have learned greatly from innovations in other countries (especially Scandinavia) concerning policy for children, I hope that we are able to provide useful models in the development of child advocacy. Our experience has shown that a key strategy is for researchers to be aware of the policy and practice issues concerning children, to ensure that our research addresses these issues, and that we disseminate our findings and establish dialogue with policy makers.