A1 Journal article (refereed)
Selectivity of clientele in Finnish private early childhood education and care (2021)

Ruutiainen, V., Alasuutari, M., & Karila, K. (2021). Selectivity of clientele in Finnish private early childhood education and care. Nordic Journal of Studies in Educational Policy, 7(2), 91-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/20020317.2021.1911161

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

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

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

Journal or series: Nordic Journal of Studies in Educational Policy

eISSN: 2002-0317

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 11/04/2021

Volume: 7

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 91-105

Publisher: Co-Action Publishing; Taylor & Francis Group

Publication country: Sweden

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20020317.2021.1911161

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75039

Abstract

In accordance with the Nordic welfare model, the Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC) system has traditionally been based on public provision and the idea of universalism. However, over the last twenty years the ECEC system has undergone market-oriented reforms. As a result, the share of private for-profit ECEC provision has grown significantly. By applying impression management theory, this qualitative research examines how representatives of private ECEC providers describe the selection and selectivity of their clientele and how they aim at managing the impression they convey through their descriptions. The study shows how three different mechanisms of selectivity are produced and legitimized in the interview talk. Furthermore, the study makes visible the cultural assumptions and expectations related to private ECEC provision and the potential selectivity it produces.

Keywords: early childhood education and care; day care; private sector; private services; selectivity

Free keywords: early childhood education and care; impression management; private provision; selectivity; legitimation

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1