ABSTRACT
Zooming out for this chapter, we examine the role that schools and preschools play within society as political and cultural institutions, which can directly influence the life chances of the children within their walls. We explore how physical spaces shape the lives of their inhabitants, through their design and usage. They also function as social and cultural spaces, enabling some relationships and limiting others. We explore the regulation and assessment of early childhood environments, and how these are used to discipline educators and practices.
