Neoliberalism and Early Childhood Education: Markets, Imaginaries and Governance

Neoliberalism has deeply impacted Early Childhood Education and Care, with detrimental effects on young children, families, settings, and the workforce. This book offers resistance and refusal strategies and reflects on the coronavirus pandemic to challenge neoliberal hegemony. It provides a critical introduction to neoliberalism, Human Capital theory, Public Choice theory, and New Public Management, and an overview of the impact on compulsory education. The book argues that neoliberalism is problematic, resistible, and eventually replaceable, with alternatives available. It is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and policy makers in Early Childhood Education and Sociology of Education.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Neoliberalism, characterized by its belief in competition, choice, and calculation, has profoundly influenced Early Childhood Education and Care. This book delves into the detrimental effects of neoliberalism on young children, families, settings, and the workforce. Through an exploration of possibilities for resistance and refusal and a reflection on the significance of the coronavirus pandemic, Roberts-Holmes and Moss offer hope for challenging neoliberal dominance.

The book provides a comprehensive introduction to neoliberalism, along with three closely related concepts: Human Capital theory, Public Choice theory, and New Public Management. It also offers an overview of the impact of neoliberalism on compulsory education, particularly through the Global Education Reform Movement. With a primary focus on Early Childhood Education and Care, the book argues that while neoliberalism is a powerful force, it is deeply problematic, eminently resistible, and ultimately replaceable.

Furthermore, the book presents alternatives to neoliberalism in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care. It serves as an insightful supplement to the studies of students and researchers in Early Childhood Education and Sociology of Education, as well as being highly relevant to policy makers. By examining the detrimental impacts of neoliberalism and exploring potential resistance and refusal strategies, this book contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing early childhood education and care in the era of neoliberalism.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 192 x 363 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367140830