Suitable for students in all early years/early childhood courses, as well as interested practitioners, this book looks at the current structure of early childhood education and care workforce in various countries - Australia, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Russia, Germany, the Philippines, Sweden, and the UK - each of which represents a distinct philosophical tradition. It traces what has shaped this structure and examines how politics and policy have molded the workforce over time. Each chapter analyzes historical, philosophical, and political developments in the respective country and looks at the key theorists, the concepts of childhood that have shaped the workforce, and the pedagogical approaches. The unique aspects of each country are highlighted along with a consideration of what the future might hold for the workforce. Students and practitioners will achieve a more critical understanding of current practice and the beliefs which underpin particular pedagogical approaches, while being encouraged to question their own values and practice. *** Librarians: ebook available on ProQuest and EBSCO (Series: Critical Approaches to the Early Years) [Subject: Education, Early Childhood Development]