Introduction The Birth of Early Childhood Services (1500-1870) The State's Assumption of Responsibility for Early Childhood Services (1870-1945) Early Childhood Services in the Period of Post-War Consensus (1945-1979) The Development of Early Childhood Services under the Conservatives (1979-1997) Labour Back in Power and the New Emphasis on Early Childhood Services (1997-2001) The Government's Policy on Early Childhood Services Takes Shape (2001-2007) The Transformation of Early Childhood Services Falters (2007-2010) Analysing the Development of Early Childhood Services under Labour Evaluating Recent Developments in Early Childhood services Conclusion Time Chart 1811-2010

Offers an historical account of the development of early years services in the United Kingdom (with consideration of developments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as England). This book also offers a brief account of developments from the 16th century to the Second World War.