A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Rationalizing early childhood education and care in the local context : a case study of Finnish municipalities (2020)

Eerola, Petteri, Alasuutari, Maarit, Karila, Kirsti, Kuukka, Anu, Siippainen, Anna. (2020). Rationalizing early childhood education and care in the local context : a case study of Finnish municipalities. In K. Repo, M. Alasuutari, K. Karila, & J. Lammi-Taskula (Eds.), The Policies of Childcare and Early Childhood Education : Does Equal Access Matter? (pp. 152-171). Edward Elgar. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788117753.00015

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

JYU authors or editors

Alasuutari, Maarit
Kuukka, Anu
Siippainen, Anna

Publication details

All authors or editors: Eerola, Petteri; Alasuutari; Maarit; Karila, Kirsti; Kuukka, Anu; Siippainen, Anna

Parent publication: The Policies of Childcare and Early Childhood Education : Does Equal Access Matter?

Parent publication editors: Repo, Katja; Alasuutari, Maarit; Karila, Kirsti; Lammi-Taskula, Johanna

ISBN: 978-1-78811-774-6

eISBN: 978-1-78811-775-3

Publication year: 2020

Pages range: 152-171

Number of pages in the book: 192

Publisher: Edward Elgar

Place of Publication: Cheltenham

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788117753.00015

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67887

Abstract

In this chapter, we focus on local early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy discourses by scrutinizing the rationalities given for ECEC in ten Finnish municipalities. The empirical data comprise qualitative interviews with local politicians and ECEC administrators (n = 78) and the analysis applies a discourse analytic framework. As a result, we highlight three interpretative frames – local, economy and function – through which the organization and provision of ECEC is discussed. We conclude our analysis by constructing three local rationalities – investing in education in a diverse environment; a personal service conditioned by working life; and the best possible quality of ECEC with the resources available – for providing and organizing ECEC. Our analysis shows how these frames and rationalities are linked to global ideas on ECEC and how the different discourses appear in municipalities with different characteristics. We also demonstrate how the rationalities encompass divergent approaches on access to ECEC.

Keywords: child care; early childhood education and care; organising; resources; municipalities; political decision making