Government investment in early childhood education and care (ECEC) supports children's ongoing development, learning and wellbeing, and delivers the skills and knowledge required for a thriving society and economy. Assessing the efficiency of this investment, as well as methods for ongoing monitoring are important steps in delivering effective…

This study focused on the importance of developmental assessment in early childhood and the approaches used by teachers in this process. This study examined how teachers conduct assessment processes based on individual differences and child-centered approaches. This study used a mixed-method design and was conducted with 181 preschool teachers in…

Out-of-school-time (OST) programs and their funders rely on sound data to make decisions about everything from professional development and student recruitment to the selection of activities to offer students. Programs operate at a range of times (before and after school, weekends, summer) and in a variety of locations (e.g., schools,…

Background: In 1994, the African National Congress identified early childhood development as a potential strategy to redress the inequalities of apartheid, however, two and a half decades later, poverty still persists, and South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world. Aim: This article explores how policy texts based on and with…

Research Findings: Kindergarten Entry Assessments (KEAs) -- assessment tools used at the beginning of kindergarten to provide educators with a snapshot of children's readiness for school -- are increasingly being adopted by states across the country. The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation of North Carolina's KEA through…