ABSTRACT
As indicated in the introduction, and exemplified in previous chapters, ideological and historical context can explain how a system of ECCE develops within a country, and an understanding of the ECCE system and its characteristics can explain how effects upon children can occur (Melhuish, 1991, 2005; Kamerman, 1991). Also it is important to realise that childcare is diverse, and not make the mistake, which is only too common amongst politicians, of regarding day care for under-ones as basically the same issue as kindergarten for three-to four-year-olds.
