This textbook has been developed and written in response to the huge changes in the Early Years sector. It will encourage students to go beyond the basics, to explore and research issues in more depth, and to take a critical and reflective approach to their practice. The book takes full account of the curriculum framework and the Foundation Stage for early years; it also acknowledges the National Literacy Strategy and the National Numeracy Strategy. Exploring Issues in Early Years Education and Care enables readers to go beyond a basic, introductory level and introduces the key issues in early childhood education and care such as researching young children; the place of work in early childhood; reducing inequalities in child health; and comparative perspectives in early childhood literacy. Although rooted firmly in practice and with a UK focus, the text introduces controversial issues and takes a look beyond the UK. This book comes from the team that wrote the best-selling Looking at Early Years Education and Care. The contributors’ wide range of backgrounds in early years health and education ensures that the text will meet the needs of students and tutors on many different early years and early primary courses, as well as reflective practitioners working in a range of Early Years settings.