Introduction: Early childhood education policy reforms in Australia and China

Abstract

This chapter introduces early childhood education, policies and reforms and a collaborative partnership to explore comparative perspectives in early childhood across Australia and China. In this book we draw on the research literature to develop a picture of early childhood education in the two countries and to provide background and context. Early childhood education has been identified by governments and policy makers as a strategy to counter inequality and support economic growth. Continuous reform, in terms of access, quality of the services provided and the training required by the workforce are a focus of policy development and also the subject of the research projects described in this book. The value of comparative studies is discussed and the usefulness of exploring early childhood education and care initiatives across borders contemplated. Debates in Australia and China have been introduced in order to reflect on the influence of internationalisation and globalisation in shaping educational policy, practice and relationships. This introduction describes the organisation of the book, comments on the nuanced nature of comparative studies when knowledge is shared across borders and touches on some of the questions that arise from the research projects reported upon.