Responses to Peer Discussions on Early Childhood Education Policy

Respond to at least two of your peers. In your response, compare your different perspectives. What is similar and what is different? How do your peers’ perspectives deepen your understanding of early childhood policy? Your responses to your classmates should be at least 200 words in length

Discussion 1 (Roberta)

Identify one policy area you are passionate about and, using research, explain why this area is critical to supporting children and families. In early childhood education, the high cost of childcare has been an issue limiting accessibility and equality for all children and families. Unfair wages and low-wage jobs prevent children from attending high-quality childcare centers. “Throughout history and into the present, childcare has been and continues to be a subject of labor policies. Under the influence of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s, the focus of these labor policies shifted from the needs of poor working-class mothers to ensuring equal opportunity policies on the labor market for men and women alike” (Vandenbroeck, 2020). In today’s society, women are now earning equal to higher salaries. However, the cost of living, such as rent, food, and other household bills, takes a portion of the wage, which makes paying for childcare a barrier. Equity of universal childcare subsidies is critical in early childhood education because it ensures all low-income children access high-quality childcare and financial relief for working families. Defend the importance of advocating for children and families. Advocating for children and families is vital to ensuring they have equal rights to childcare. Often, children and families face the adversity of limited access to childcare services because they do not know their rights. These rights include access to an inclusive learning environment, rights to affordable healthcare, and rights to childcare subsidies to help pay for quality childcare. Describe how policy, advocacy, and your role as a professional and leader are interconnected. As a professional leader in early childhood education, policy, and advocacy are interconnected because they set the foundation for a high-quality learning environment. Advocacy brings awareness to inequalities of a fair education, while policies ensure the safety and well-being of the children and consistency within the center program.

Reference Vandenbroeck, M. (2020). Early Childhood Care and Education Policies that Make a

Difference. In: Nieuwenhuis, R., Van Lancker, W. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Family Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030- 54618-2_8

Respond to at least two of your peers. In your response, compare your different perspectives. What is similar and what is different? How do your peers’ perspectives deepen your understanding of early childhood policy? Your responses to your classmates should be at least 200 words in length

Discussion 2 (Jessica) The Policy I chose to write about for this week’s Discussion is childcare Policies and their rising costs. I was a stay-at-home Mother for many years because we decided early on that we felt most comfortable with me being with our children during the day. However, this is not always an option for families, especially in single-parent homes. This area is critical to supporting children and families because families need to be able to afford childcare and gain income from working, not just apply it to childcare costs. I have spoken to many families over the years who have said they have a parent who has to stay home rather than work because they cannot afford childcare costs, especially for multiple children.

Measures have been taken over time to put efforts into change. “In 2021, the Biden administration released the Build Back Better Plan (BBB), a proposal to address many of the Democrats’ priority issues, including childcare and early childhood education” (Katz, 2024, p. 7). Meaning, that measures were taken to help childcare for families. However, the proposals did not become law. Educators need to advocate for policies like this that have a rippling effect on the overall wellbeing and outcomes for families. As an advocate for children and families, I can do my part to help support families to find and obtain childcare and help them gain resources that are within their reach. Giving a family the ability to find quality childcare will allow them and their circumstances to improve.

Reference

Katz. (2024). NCSL. Trends in Federal Policy on Child Care and Early Childhood Education. https://www.ncsl.org/state-federal/trends-in-federal-policy-on-child-care-and- early-childhood-education

Respond to two peers’ posts that inspired you to add to your explanations of innovative leadership, social justice, and 21st-century learning concepts. Based on their explanations, discuss what additions or modifications you made to your understanding of these concepts. Your responses to your classmates should be at least 200 words in length.

Discussion 3 (Roberta) “The concept of leadership is expected to play a key role in developing, maintaining and enhancing services for young children. Specifically, effective leadership is known to positively impact the quality of ECE programs and optimize children’s development” (Fu, 2022). In early childhood education, it is imperative for leaders to create a positive learning environment that exemplifies quality of care and learning. Innovative leaders such as teachers, administrators, and other school personnel ensures the equity of the children and families through quality of learning, assessing the developmental domains that’s conducive to the children’s age and advocacy for special services to meet the individual needs of the children and families.

All children should have rights to equitable learning opportunities, such as inclusion-based learning environments. “This involves creativity in problem solving, advocacy, and activism to ensure diverse populations of students are provided with the resources, skills, and knowledge they need to increase their academic achievement and social trajectories” (Ramlackhan & Cantania, 2022). Educators play a vital role in ensuring the equity of the children by creating lessons that support all learning abilities. Children should feel valued as members of society as they engage and develop the social skills and cognitive abilities to deal with real-world experiences.

The evolution of modern technology has influenced how people communicate and use technology. “Information and communication technology is changing the way we get information and interact with each other” (Ramey, 2016). For example, before there were smartphones and touch screen computers, children were exposed to using traditional computers, rotary and push button telephones. Today, technology has advanced in many ways. Children as young as two years old are exposed to digital narration to foster their learning abilities. In education, technology encourages children to develop cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and critical thinking to solve complex problems.

References

Fu, W. (2022). A Critical Examination of Effective Leadership in Early Childhood Education, Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 7(1)

Ramey, D., M. (2016). 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/jul2016/21st-century-teaching-learning.

Ramlackhan, K., & Catania, N. (2022). Fostering creativity, equity, and inclusion through social justice praxis. Power and Education, 14(3), 282-295. https://doi.org/10.1177/17577438221114717

Discussion 4 (Jessica) Quality and innovation are two principles that any great early childhood education leader must prioritize because they provide high satisfaction while being current and relevant. Keeping alignment with accredited standards in early learning, Bredekamp emphasizes quality when saying, “Meeting these standards establishes a supportive context that makes it possible to achieve and maintain the quality of life for children described in the first five standards” (2022, p. 20).

Fostering social justice is important because leadership requires action and change. When you are put into a position of leadership you are entrusted with making the soundest and ethically responsible decisions for many people, who look to you for steadfast support and guidance. This position is critical to so many aspects of early childhood education whether it be through administration or in the classroom, leadership requires commitment to uphold certain standards. Part of this is creating environments which are culturally relevant and impactful for students. When you incorporate this kind of learning and information for students, their perspectives become more open, and it provokes awareness of the world around them. Danielson further explores this ability to encompass an open mind in the classroom in this reflection, “Many choices involve matters so routine that a teacher can make and implement decisions automatically This also means doing so in a way that promotes and recognizes equality” (2009, p. 1).

21-Century Learning in Early Childhood Education goes back to that relevancy piece. Jean-Marie & Normore said, “At the dawn of the 21st century, there has been an increased focus on social justice and educational leadership” (2009, p. 1). Today, we have more evidence-based research than ever before showing the most crucial factors for student success. Things like early intervention, special services, and nutrition are just a few things that are prioritized more now than in the past for the benefit of students in early childhood settings. We know prioritizing these aspects helps maximize the benefits of programs and allows them to run more fluidly when the student’s basic needs are met and beyond into more support.

Resources

Bredekamp, S. (2022). Effective practices in early childhood education (4th ed.). Pearson. https://uaglobalcampus.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780135179949/epubcfi/6/32[%3 Bvnd.vst.idref%3DP7001015496000000000000000000873

Danielson, L. M. (2009, February). Fostering reflection.. Educational Leadership, 66(5). http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/Fostering- Reflection.aspx.

Jean-Marie, G., Normore, A. H., & Brooks, J. S. (2009). Preparing 21st century school leaders for a new social orderLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.. Journal of Research on Leadership Education, 4(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/194277510900400102

**Response to Roberta**

Roberta, your discussion on the impact of high childcare costs on accessibility and equity is incredibly insightful. You rightly highlight that the high cost of childcare remains a significant barrier for many families, particularly those with lower incomes. Your mention of historical shifts in labor policies and their influence on childcare underscores the ongoing struggle to balance economic pressures with equitable access to quality care.

In contrast to your focus on historical and policy perspectives, my personal focus has been on the current implications of rising childcare costs and the need for immediate policy interventions. Like you, I recognize that high childcare expenses limit opportunities for working families. However, my emphasis has been on recent policy measures, such as the Build Back Better Plan, which aimed to address these issues but ultimately did not pass into law.

What I find particularly valuable in your perspective is the historical context you provide, which enriches our understanding of how past policies have shaped current challenges. Your advocacy for universal childcare subsidies aligns with my view that policymakers need to prioritize affordable childcare to support working families effectively. Our discussions reflect a shared concern about equity and access, but your historical lens offers a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to today’s challenges.

**Response to Jessica**

Jessica, your perspective on the high cost of childcare and its impact on working families resonates strongly with me. I appreciate your personal anecdote about staying home to care for your children, which highlights the difficult choices many families face when balancing work and childcare expenses. Your discussion on the limitations of current policy measures, such as the Build Back Better Plan, is an important critique of the gaps in addressing the real needs of families.

Comparing your focus on recent policy attempts with my emphasis on the broader historical context, I see both shared concerns and complementary viewpoints. While you focus on specific legislative efforts and their shortcomings, I delve into how historical labor policies have continuously shaped current childcare challenges. Your perspective enhances my understanding by emphasizing the immediate and tangible impacts of policy decisions on families’ daily lives.

Your call for advocacy and support for policies that address childcare costs aligns with my own views on the necessity of systemic change. By combining our perspectives, we gain a more comprehensive view of how both historical and current policies intersect to impact early childhood education and family well-being. Your insights deepen the discussion on how effective advocacy and policy reform are crucial in addressing the barriers faced by families in accessing affordable, high-quality childcare.