ABSTRACT

Commemorating the life and work of Dr John Bennett; his lifelong contribution to Early Childhood Education and Care, and his ongoing influence on policy, research and practice in this field, In Search of Social Justice is a tribute to a preeminent scholar and his vision for an equitable and high-quality start for all children.

Working tirelessly to raise the profile of Early Childhood Education and Care, and prioritise the rights and well-being of children and families in national and international policy, John Bennet played an invaluable role in improving the position of young children globally. In Search of Social Justice takes John’s legacy as a starting point for critical examination of the changing discourse on Early Childhood Education, and argues for the continued relevance of his approach. Drawing on personal reflections, vignettes and testimonials from eminent authors who shared their professional lives with him, the book foregrounds John’s insistence that we must continue to shape policy and provision through inquiry, high-quality evidence, passion and persistence, improving the early experiences of all young children.

As much a celebration of John’s work and achievements, as a call to collective action towards achieving his vision for equitable, quality early childhood education and care, this is a fascinating read for students, researchers and activists in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care.

chapter 1|9 pages

Early childhood education and care

Where so much begins

chapter 4|12 pages

‘To aspire toward ECEC systems that support broad learning, participation and democracy’

Reflections on John Bennett’s final words on Starting Strong

chapter 6|11 pages

The life of a polymath

Shared threads of thinking and action

chapter 7|13 pages

Straggling behind

Participation of Roma children and employment of Roma staff in early childhood education and care in Europe

chapter 11|12 pages

Gentle, passionate and, most of all, persistent

John Bennett’s influence on European Union ECEC policy