From care and education to education and care: changes in concept of early childhood educator's training and of nursery education

Abstract

Recognition of the psychological and economical importance of early childhood, changes in society, first of all in the life and needs of families with young children and results of studies in early childhood development and education have been leading to important changes in nursery education and care. Some basic values and methods have stayed alive, some have changed in different ways, and some new values and methods emerged. Understanding the changes is very important for early childhood educators and for other specialists. The aim of this study is to help them by the interpretation of the conceptual changes in nursery education and care and by the presentation of changes in training-programs for early childhood educators.