This book examines the approaches, content and design, and practices of current early childhood teacher preparation programs in universities across Australia, and compares them with those in Finland, Norway and Sweden. It is well established that investment in good quality early childhood education yields the best outcomes for children, and that there is significant correlation between quality early childhood learning environments and qualified teachers. As such, this book offers key insights into academic approaches to the design, implementation and assessment of early childhood teacher programs, and how these programs are shaped in response to requirements and constraints, both within the university context and beyond. This book provides a focus to inform future practice for decision-makers of early childhood teacher policy; researchers interested in improving the quality and status of early childhood education; and assessors of early childhood teacher programs.

Autorentext
Dr Wendy Boyd is Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Southern Cross University. Her research focuses on provision of quality early childhood programs to support the optimal development of all children. This includes parents' perspectives on early childhood programs; the effectiveness and development of the early childhood workforce, and the provision of sustainable practices in early childhood education. She has published papers in high impact, ERA-eligible journals, and is Editor of the New Zealand International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal. She is on the Early Childhood Australia Publications Advisory Committee, which produces resources for early childhood educators. She has extensive expertise in the field of early childhood education and care and has taught for 25 years and led a large team to consistently achieve the highest ratings in the early childhood Quality Improvement and Accreditation System. Wendy received the 2011 Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor's Citation Award for Excellence in Teaching based on her work educating pre-service early childhood teachers.

Inhalt
1 Introduction to the book.- 2 Background to the study.- 3 Strengths, improvements, and entry into ECT programs.- 4 Academics' perspectives of optimal models for ECT programs.- 5 The role of professional experience within the early childhood teaching degree.- 6 The challenges, barriers and enablers of early childhood teacher degrees.- 7 Quality programs, quality teachers-conclusions and recommendations.