This book provides insights in to how high quality learning environments in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) develop, and how competent systems can support this. It builds on the knowledge that quality early environments shape the wellbeing and development of the child, and explores how communities of professional practice that support quality development are built. Acknowledging that the conditions for providing high quality pedagogical work depend not only on the individual teacher, but also on collaboration and organizational and professional development. The book draws on a range of theoretical frameworks and research that underline competent systems rather than individualized learning as a path to improve workforce quality and professionalization in the field of ECEC.

Autorentext

Charlotte Ringsmose, Professor at Aalborg University (Denmark), Department of Culture and Learning Laboratory for Practice based Development in ECEC and School. Her research area is quality ECEC with a particular research focus on quality ECEC environments studying how child development links to the possibilities for development present in the surroundings. She has published in international as well as national peer reviewed books and journals on quality in early childhood learning, development and education particularly in three areas 1) The Nordic Social Pedagogical approach 2) systematic quality rating scales, and children's development in relation to qualities in the environment 3) action based research developing quality in care.Line Skov Hansen is a PhD fellow and Research Assistant at the Department of Culture and Learning, Aalborg University, Denmark. She is a former primary teacher and holds a Master in ICT and Learning, and a Master in Learning and Innovative Changes. Herresearch and work focus on design and implementation of system-wide improvement projects in ECEC and schools. In the projects system-wide improvement through capacity building, evaluative thinking, collaboration and use of data- and research are key essentials. She has been the author of several articles as well as co-author and editor of books and research reports targeting the field of practice.