A1 Journal article (refereed)
Epistemic governance in local policy debates : The case of entitlement to early childhood education and care in Finland (2020)

Paananen, M., Alasuutari, M., Karila, K., & Siippainen, A. (2020). Epistemic governance in local policy debates : The case of entitlement to early childhood education and care in Finland. European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology, 7(1), 52-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/23254823.2019.1650651

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

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Paananen, Maiju; Alasuutari, Maarit; Karila, Kirsti; Siippainen, Anna

Journal or series: European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology

ISSN: 2325-4823

eISSN: 2325-4815

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 7

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 52-74

Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23254823.2019.1650651

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66328

Abstract

In Finland, children below school age have enjoyed the right to attend subsidised full-time early childhood education and care (ECEC). However, the attendance rate in Finland is low in comparison to other Nordic countries. Furthermore, the entitlement was restricted to 20 h per week in 2016 unless the child’s parents work or study full-time or unless it is believed that the child will benefit from full-time ECEC. The debates concerning restrictions in ECEC entitlement in three municipal councils serve as the data for this study. By using the framework of epistemic governance, we identify three differing constructions of the ECEC’s societal functions in the municipal policy debates. The similarities and differences between these constructions aid us to understand recent changes in ECEC policies. This case illustrates how focusing on epistemic governance on local-level policy debates opens interesting insights in policy changes more generally.

Keywords: early childhood education and care; day care; child care; politics; local administration; local politics; subjective rights

Free keywords: epistemic governance; epistemic capital; early childhood education; childcare; policy

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

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