How the Roles of Early Childhood Caregivers and Educators Came To Be Marginalized

This book examines the interactions of gender and race, developmental psychology, and public policy and how, collectively, they influenced the marginalization of early childhood caregivers? and educators? roles. In order to learn how their roles came to be both externally and internally marginalized?in public esteem, research attention, compensation, and valuation?Goffin traces the origins of the early childhood care and education field and its evolution over time. Also taken into account is the influence of the early childhood care and education field?s insufficient attention to practitioners? emerging stature. Chapter by chapter, the book (Left Behind for short) calls attention to the historical influences of its racial and gender context, its long-standing reliance on developmental psychology, and its dependence on public policy, along with how, when intertwined, these influences led to the marginalization of early childhood caregivers and educators? role, which helped shape early childhood care and education as a field of practice. This work is ideal for early childhood care and education?s undergraduate and graduate faculty, its undergraduate and graduate students, early childhood care and education policy advocates, those in state department administrative roles, those who self-identify as change agents, plus early childhood caregivers and educators who want to learn more about their history.

"I am chomping at the bit for people to read this book so we can discuss it! Goffin guides us through a careful examination of early care and education?s history while challenging us to build a cohesive field of practice for our future. Truly a must read for early care and education practitioners, researchers, policy makers, advocates, and funders ? and once you read it, let?s talk!" 

Ariel Ford, Director, Division of Child Development and Early Education for NC Department of Health and Human Services, USA. 

"With extraordinary honesty and care, Stacie provides us with a detailed roadmap of the decisions, actions, and influences that led to our field?s diminished standing and the marginalization of early childhood caregivers? and educators? roles. I only hope that we as a field can be as bold moving forward as Stacie is in writing How the Roles of Early Childhood Caregivers and Educators Came To Be Marginalized."

Kim McClennahan Means, Founder and Managing Partner, Avoca Consulting, LLC and former Associate Executive Director, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), USA. 

"Once again Stacie Goffin raises her clarion voice to remind ECCE Policy advocates of the history of our field of practice, and out complicity in creating our current, marginalized, state of being. She also guides us toward possible patwhsy forward that will lead to dynamic systemic change."

Maurice Sykes, Executive Director, Early Childhood Leadership Institute, USA.

"Stacie Goffin is the perfect guide to take us on this detailed trip through our field?s history and frank assessment of how we became and remain marginalized and fragmented. No stranger to a tough topic, Dr. Goffin creates another must read using her signature blend of sharp analysis and thoughtful reflection. Never afraid to ask hard questions or dive into messy problems, Dr. Goffin does some essential excavating, organizing, and scrutinizing on all of our behalf. For any of us who care about the state, quality, and progress of the early childhood field, this book is for you.  It equips all of us ? advocates, allies, educators, caregivers, faculty, quality and workforce professionals, and more ? with a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped us, both externally and internally. Instead of simply accepting where we are, Goffin challenges us to boldly move forward to reshape our future and hopefully jolt us well beyond the marginalization we have experienced, and often accepted, for far too long. It is because she believes so deeply in the work of early childhood care and education, the bountiful potential of children, and the wisdom and value of educators that she is so deft at presenting the challenge while also championing those it impacts. I end this book feeling more enabled and empowered to contribute to substantive and systemic change. Armed with a deeper understanding of our history and the consequences of our fragmentation, we can serve as more effective change agents and, as Dr. Goffin puts it, 'step forward on behalf of the field?s future.'"

Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer, Bright Horizons, USA.

"How the Roles of Early Childhood Caregivers and Educators Came To Be Marginalized offers a groundbreaking exploration of the historical underpinnings and key internal and external factors shaping the roles of early childhood caregivers and educators. By meticulously documenting this history, the book provides a vital starting point for addressing existing gaps and making information decisions regarding the future of early childhood education (ECE) and practitioner roles. Its insights are essential for policymakers, educators, researchers, and anyone invested in advancing the ECE agenda. I highly recommend incorporating it into college curricular as a foundational text, offering invaluable context for understanding current issues and opportunities in the field. This book isn?t just informative ? it?s a catalyst for meaningful action and progress in early childhood education role clarification."

Linda Hassan Anderson, Retired Executive Leader, NIA & Association, Inc., USA.

"How the Roles of Early Childhood Caregivers and Educators Came to Be Marginalized is a must read for administrators, teacher educators, teachers, social workers, parents, and anyone interested in providing the best possible early education for our youngest children. This valuable resource explains how race and gender, the field of developmental psychology, and public policy have acted and interacted over many decades as external culprits in the marginalization of early childhood caregivers and educators. Also included are internal factors, within the early childhood community, that have eroded the agency of early childhood caregivers and educators. The book does not stop there, though. It provides a blueprint of where we go from here as early childhood caregivers, educators, and advocates to become change agents and develop more autonomy and control over early childhood care and education as a field of practice. I highly recommend this source without any reservations." 

Jerry Aldridge, Professor Emeritus Curriculum Instruction, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.

"Stacie Goffin has been, and continues to be, one of the go-to guides when it comes to developing and understanding policy and practice in early years. The arrival of her latest work could not be more timely. As childcare reform rises up to the political agenda once again, this is a must read for both policy and practitioner audiences."  

Tony Munton, Managing Director, The Right to Know Ltd., UK.