What are the core values in the field of early childhood education and care?

The core values in the field of early childhood education and care center around prioritizing child development and inclusive practices. This is fundamental because the primary goal of early childhood education is to support the holistic development of young children. This includes fostering their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth in an environment that respects and values diversity.

Emphasizing these values means that educators are committed to creating inclusive settings where the unique backgrounds and needs of all children are recognized and accommodated. This approach not only supports individual children's learning styles and developmental stages but also promotes a sense of belonging and community among children and families.

In contrast, principles based on standardized testing focus primarily on assessment and outcomes rather than on children's needs and development. Guidelines for classroom management and regulations imposed by educational authorities, while important, do not encapsulate the core values that drive the philosophy and practice in early childhood education, which is fundamentally about the well-being and development of the child. Thus, focusing on developmentally appropriate and inclusive practices reflects the essence of the early childhood education field.