The Bernard van Leer Foundation has recently released a working paper on
"Globalisation and privatisation: the impact on childcare policy and practice". The
paper concentrates on the impact of globalisation on childcare since the late 1970s,
particularly in the last two decades.

The paper looks at how views about children, parents and public services have
changed as a result. In particular, the paper examines the case in Belgium, where
the consequences of globalisation are also analysed in terms of quality and
accessibility of services and the shifting power relations between the state,
childcare providers, parents and experts in the field of early childhood education.

In order to understand present-day views on the services provided to young children
and their families, it is necessary to have some historical context. The paper
therefore also investigates how childcare institutions have emerged over the history
of Western Europe, with special emphasis on Belgium, before examining their
evolution in a more international context, looking at recent research from different
countries. The paper concludes by distilling the situation into three apparently
contradictory situations, and asking if they can be resolved.[Source: CRIN]

For more information, contact:
Bernard van Leer Foundation
PO Box 82334, 2508 EH The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)70 331 22 00; Fax: + 31 (0)70 350 23 73
Website: http://www.bernardvanleer.org