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
- Finnish childcare policies: In/equality in focus (childcare)
- Alasuutari, Maarit
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1