This article discusses the different perceptions of quality in early childhood education. It argues that quality should be perceived as a process which is specific to the context of each service, and is, therefore, best defined by the values and beliefs of the stakeholders. This article suggests that forming a vision by the participants involved in early childhood centres can be the starting point of a quality process, and can forge a commitment to working towards excellence, as well as be a tool for evaluation. Methods for developing a vision are outlined, and the benefits to management, staff, and families in supporting this process are discussed.
BloomP. J. & SheererM. (1992) The effect of leadership training on childcare programme. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 7(4), 579–594.
3.
BotteryM. (1994) Lessons for Schools? A Comparison of Business and Educational Management.London: Cassell.
4.
BowmanB.T., (1997) New directions in higher education. In KaganS.L. & BowmanB.T. (eds) Leadership and Care in Early Care and Education.Washington DC: NAEYC.
5.
BrophyJ. & StathamJ. (1994) Measure for measure: Values, quality and evaluation. In MossP. & PenceA. (eds) Valuing Quality in Early Childhood Services: New Approaches to Defining Quality.London: Teachers College Press.
6.
BurdonJ. (1994) Ensuring Quality Childcare: National Accreditation of Childcare Centres in Australia.Sydney: National Childcare Accreditation Council.
7.
DahlbergG. & AsenG. (1994) Evaluation and regulation: a question of empowerment. In MossP. & PenceA. (eds) Valuing Quality in Early Childhood Services: New Approaches to Defining Quality.London: Teachers College Press.
8.
FarquharS.E., (1993) Constructions of quality in early childhood centres, PhD thesis, University of Otago.
9.
GoodardD. & LeaskM. (1992) The Search for Quality: Planning for Improvement and Managing Change.London: Paul Chapman.
10.
GoodnowJ. (1989) Setting priorities for research on groupcare for children. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 14 (1), 4–10.
11.
GreenmanJ. & StonehouseA. (1997) Prime Times. A Handbook for Excellence in Infant and Toddler programs.Melbourne: Longman.
12.
GreyA. (1998) A vision for quality in early childhood education. Massey University: Unpublished project.
13.
MossP. & PenceA. (1994) (eds) Valuing Quality in Early Childhood Services: New Approaches to Defining Quality.London: Teachers College Press.
14.
MorganG. (1996) Licensing and accreditation: How much quality is quality? In WilierB. A. & BredekampS. (eds) NAEYC Accreditation: A Decade of Learning and the Years Ahead.Washington DC: NAEYC, pp. 129–138.
15.
NanusB. (1992) Visionary Leadership.USA: Jossey-Bass Inc.
16.
OwensB. (1995) Perfect Quality: All You Need to Get it Right the First Time.London: Arrow.
17.
PolitD. & HunglerB. (1995) Nursing Research Principles and Methods.Philadelphia: J. B. Lippencott Company.
18.
RennieJ. (1996) Working with parents. In PughG. (ed.) Contemporary Issues in the Early Years: Working collaboratively for children.London: Paul Chapman.
19.
SallisE. (1996) Total Quality Management in Education.London: Kogan Page.
20.
SwainM. & SwainD. (1982) Families and Child Care: Report of a Research Project on the Impact of Childcare on the Families Enrolled at a Hamilton Day Care Centre.Hamilton, NZ: Department of Sociology, University of Waikato.
21.
WhalleyM. (1996) Working as a team. In G. Pugh (ed.) Contemporary Issues in the Early Years: Working Collaboratively for Children.London: Paul Chapman.
