Submitted by crinadmin on
Practice and reflection series No 10
The Foundation's summary of the publication
This book looks at research that set Out to answer the following
questions: what is a good environment for children? how can this
environment be improved? and, what does research have to say
about this? The research was carried out not with practitioners in
the field nor individuals in the academic world, but with people
involved at the interface between theory and practice; people
working as programme specialists, project leaders, and applied
researchers. The title of the book originates from our perception
of 'quality* in early childhood programmes, which can be likened
to our perception of a rainbow. Composed as it is of sunshine
and rain, it changes with every shift in perspective. And just as
people have searched for the illusory crock of gold at the
rainbow*s end, so development experts search for universal
definitions and standards of quality. But quality is contextual.
Drawing on examples from France, India, Kenya and Venezuela,
Martin Woodhead argues that sensitivity to diversity and to
one*s own preconceptions should be key elements informing all
early childhood work.
Owner: Martin Woodhead