ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book intends to provoke thought and discussion with regards to the management of an early childhood setting. It seeks to contest some of the stereotypical views of for-profit and not-for-profit provision, in terms of the often negative perceptions associated with operating Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) as a business. The book explores the policy trajectory that establishes the context for, and the purpose of ECEC across five English-speaking countries: Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, and Norway. It examines some of the most common management theories including contingency, systems, and chaos theory, and considers how they relate to the management of early childhood education and care settings. The book examines the twin concepts of entrepreneurship and business, which are anathema to some people when used in relation to ECEC.
