Includes bibliographical references and index. Research contexts across cultures / Angela Anning, Joy Cullen and Marilyn Fleer -- pt. 1. Conceptualisations of learning and pedagogy in early years settings. Developing a pedagogy of play / Elizabeth Wood -- Scaffolding learning and co-constructing understandings / Barbara Jordan -- Exploring critical constructivist perspectives on children's learning / Glenda MacNaughton -- pt. 2. The nature of knowledge in early years settings. The co-construction of an early childhood curriculum / Angela Anning -- Adults co-constructing professional knowledge / Joy Cullen -- Building bridges between literacies / Denise Williams-Kennedy -- pt. 3. Assessment in early years settings. The consequences of socio-cultural assessment / Bronwen Cowie and Margaret Carr -- On-entry baseline assessment across cultures / Peter Tymms and Christine Merrell -- Mapping the transformation of understanding / Marilyn Fleer and Carmel Richardson -- pt. 4. Evaluation and quality in early year settings. Quality teaching in the early years / Iram Siraj-Blatchford -- Questioning evaluation quality in early childhood / Valerie N. Podmore -- Multiple pathways between home and school literacies / Susan Hill and Susan Nichols -- pt. 5. Conclusion. A framework for conceptualising early childhood education / Marilyn Fleer, Angela Anning and Joy Cullen.