International Handbook of Child Care Policies and Programs

This reference offers a comprehensive overview of public policies and programmes related to child care in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, Europe and North America. Individual chapters profile policies and programmes in 29 countries. Each chapter contains a description of existing policies and programmes, presented against a particular historical, cultural and ideological backdrop. The chapters are arranged in alphabetical order to facilitate use as a reference, and each includes a list of works for further reading. The volume begins with an introductory essay that overviews recent trends and developments around the world. The chapters that follow discuss the background and history of child care, demographic characteristics of the country profiled, the socio-economic context of child care, and the extent and nature of government intervention. A final chapter synthesises the information presented and makes cross-national comparisons of policies and programmes. Appendices provide demographic data and describe maternity and parental-leave policies. A general bibliography concludes the work, making it a useful and current reference tool.