"This book is an excellent starting point and source of reference for those new to the profession. It addresses the standards for QTS without being over-focussed on the National Curriculum. The authors, all experts in their field, give clear guidance and identify key texts for further reading. The cameos bring real challenges to life and provide valuable solutions. It is a book one can keep returning to and learning from and should be on every reading list."
David Little, Subject Group Leader - Childhood & Early Years, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

"The book is stimulating, thought provoking, accessible, enlivened by rich cameos of real children and the professionals who work with them and is packed with a wide range of essential information and knowledge."
Angela Anning, Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Leeds, UK

The fourth edition of this highly successful text widens the scope and range of topics previously explored. The aim of the book is to support beginning teachers and other early years professionals in working and playing effectively with babies and young children as well as primary age children. The book explores a range of expanded topics to include issues such as safeguarding, attachments and relationships, assessment, indoor/outdoor environment, new technologies and empowering children.

Comprehensively revised and updated throughout, the book is written in a lively and interesting style and offers guidance, encouragement and support to all those new to working in schools and other educational settings. The book gives readers the confidence to reflect upon, challenge and enhance their own pedagogies. Key features of this new edition include:

• Real life cameos drawn from schools and settings
• Questions to promote thinking included in each chapter
• Suggested further reading
• Up-to-date research and issues that teachers may face
• Reflections of the revised QTS Standards and more links to Early Years Professional Status

Contributors
Deborah Albon, Ann Burnett, Caroline Cable, Liz Chamberlain, Penny Coltman, Helen Clarke, Alison Closs, Jean Conteh, Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Jan Georgeson, Usha Goswami, Jacqueline Harrett, Rita Headington, Mary Cecilia Kellett, Rachael Levy, Elizabeth Marsden, Trisha Maynard, Karen McInnes, Janet Moyles, Theodora Papatheodorou, Pia Parry, Jane Payler, Karen Phethean, Sue Robson, Mary Scanlan, Gary Walker, Jane Waters, Carrie Weston, David Whitebread and Maulfry Worthington