A1 Journal article (refereed)
Enrolling the child in private early childhood education and care in the context of universal service provision (2024)

Alasuutari, M., Ruutiainen, V., & Karila, K. (2024). Enrolling the child in private early childhood education and care in the context of universal service provision. Education Inquiry, 15(1), 126-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/20004508.2023.2282792

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Alasuutari, Maarit; Ruutiainen, Ville; Karila, Kirsti

Journal or series: Education Inquiry

eISSN: 2000-4508

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 22/11/2023

Volume: 15

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 126-146

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20004508.2023.2282792

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/92135

Abstract

Finland has traditionally had a universal early childhood education and care (ECEC) system like the other Nordic countries, but in the last 15 years this system has undergone considerable marketisation and privatisation suggested to enable parental choice of ECEC. Much of the existing research on parental ECEC decisions has been conducted in contexts where ECEC systems differ considerably from the welfare and educational regimes of the Nordic countries. Moreover, parents’ views of private ECEC have scarcely been studied in the context of universal service provision. This study examined the frames the parents of a four-year-old child use to justify the selection of a private ECEC centre for their child. The data comprised qualitative interviews with eight Finnish parents. By applying discourse analytic tools, four frames were differentiated: accessibility, pedagogy, ECEC facilities and security. The findings demonstrated that while the accessibility of the services in terms of location and opening hours was the basis on which “choice” of ECEC was possible, the parents acted as active agents in the ECEC markets looking for services that would correspond to their values and perceptions of good childhood. The study raises the question of how well public policies and services can meet parents’ expectations and adjust to increasingly prevalent ideals of individualisation in society.

Keywords: early childhood education and care; day care; private services; parents; statement of reasons; experiences (knowledge)

Free keywords: parental early childhood education and care decision; marketisation; privatisation; Finland

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1