Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-nlwjb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-07T13:59:21.711Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

What characteristics of funding, provision and regulation are associated with effective social investment in ECEC in England, France and Germany?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2019

ANNE WEST ,
AGNES BLOME  and
JANE LEWIS
ANNE WEST
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science Email: a.west@lse.ac.uk
AGNES BLOME
Affiliation:
Centre for Comparative Politics and Policy of Germany and France, Otto Suhr Institut für Politikwissenschaft, Freie Universität Berlin Email: agnes.blome@fu-berlin.de
JANE LEWIS
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science Email: j.lewis@lse.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is seen as a crucial element of the social investment state. Whilst the extent of social investment in ECEC depends on financial expenditure, its effectiveness depends on certain conditions being met: namely, affordable, high quality provision being available. We explore policy development and the role played by government in the funding, provision and regulation of ECEC in England, France and Germany and then compare availability, affordability and quality. We argue that for children aged three and over, social investment can be deemed to be broadly effective in France and Germany, but in England quality is compromised by low staff qualification levels in private childcare centres. For children under three, effective social investment is elusive in all countries, although as a result of different conditions not being met. Our findings lead us to question the limitations of the concept of social investment in ECEC, particularly in marketised contexts.

Information

Type
Article
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 49 , Issue 4 , October 2020 , pp. 681 - 704
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Abrassart, A. and Bonoli, G. (2015), ‘Availability, cost or culture? Obstacles to childcare services for low-income families’, Journal of Social Policy, 44, 4, 787–806.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Adamson, E. and Brennan, D. (2014), ‘Social Investment or Private Profit? Diverging Notions of ‘Investment’ in Early Childhood Education and Care’, International Journal of Early Childhood, 46, 1, 47–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alt, C., Gesell, D., Hubert, S., Hüsken, K., Kuhnke, R. and Lippert, K. (2017), DJI-Kinderbetreuungsreport 2017. Inanspruchnahme und Bedarfe aus Elternperspektive im Bundesländervergleich, München: Deutsches Jugendinstitut e.V.Google Scholar
Ben Ali, L. (2012), ‘La scolarisation à deux ans’, Education et formations, 82, 19–30.Google Scholar
Blome, A. (2017), The Politics of Work-family Policies in Germany and Italy, Abingdon: Routledge.Google Scholar
Blome, A. (2018), ‘Von Kinder, Küche, Kirche zu Kinder, Karriere, KiTa? Geschlechterrollen, Familienpolitik und Religion im Wandel der Zeit’, Sozialer Fortschritt, 67, 6, 453–475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bock-Famulla, K., Strunz, E. and Löhle, A. (2017), Länderreport Frühkindliche Bildungssysteme 2017. Transparenz schaffen – Governance stärken, Gütersloh: Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung.Google Scholar
Bönker, F. and Wollmann, H. (2006), ‘Public sector reforms and local governments in Germany: The case of local social policy’, in Hoffmann-Martinot, V. and Wollmann, H. (eds.) State and Local Government Reforms in France and Germany: Divergence and convergence, Wiesbaden: Springer, 189–206.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Borderies, F. (2016), ‘L’offre d’accueil des enfants de moins de 3 ans en 2014: le nombre de places d’assistantes maternelles est prédominant’, Études et Résultats, 0966.Google Scholar
Brennan, D., Cass, B., Himmelweit, S. and Szebehely, M. (2012), ‘The marketisation of care: rationales and consequences in Nordic and liberal care regimes’, Journal of European Social Policy, 22, 4, 377–391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bundesministerium für Familie , Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) (2015), Fünfter Bericht zur Evaluation des Kinderförderungsgesetzes, Berlin: BMFSFJ.Google Scholar
Busemeyer, M., de la Porte, C., Garritzmann, J. and Pavolini, E. (2018), ‘The future of the social investment state: Politics, policies, and outcomes’, Journal of European Public Policy, 25, 6, 801–809.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Busemeyer, M. and Seitzl, L. (2018), ‘The partisan politics of early childhood education in the German Länder’, Journal of Public Policy, 38, 2, 243–274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cnaf (2017), Observatoire national de la petite enfance. Rapport 2017 L’Accueil du jeune enfant en 2016, Paris: Cnaf.Google Scholar
Ceeda (2018), ‘Two-fifths of providers receive less funding than in 2013/2014’, https://www.ceeda.co.uk/news/ceedas-latest-research/two-in-five-childcare-providers-receive-less-funding-than-in-201314/Google Scholar
Collombet, C. (2018), ‘Les inégalités sociale d’accès aux modes d’accueil des jeunes enfants : Une comparaison européenne’, Revue des politiques sociales et familiale, 127, 2e trimestre.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daly, M. (2012), ‘Shifts in family policy in the UK under New Labour’, Journal of European Social Policy, 20, 5, 433–443.Google Scholar
DfE (2017), Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, London: DfE.Google Scholar
DfE (2018a), ‘30 hours free childcare’, https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare?step-by-step-nav%3Df517cd57-3c18-4bb9-aa8b-1b907e279bf9Google Scholar
DfE (2018b), Provision for children under five years of age in England: January 2018, London: DfE.Google Scholar
DfE (2018c), Early education and childcare: Statutory guidance for local authorities, London: DfE.Google Scholar
DfE (2018d), Early years entitlements: local authority funding of providers: Operational guide 2018 to 2019, London: DfE.Google Scholar
DfE (2018e), ‘School Nurseries Capital Fund’, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/739124/School_Nurseries_Capital_Fund_-_Information_for_Applicants.pdfGoogle Scholar
DfE (2018f), Childcare and early years survey of parents: 2018, London: DfE.Google Scholar
DfEE (1998), Meeting the childcare challenge: A framework and consultation document Cm 3959, London: DfEE.Google Scholar
Dumas, C. and Lefranc, A. (2010), Early schooling and later outcomes: Evidence from pre-school extension in France, Thema Working Paper n° 2010-07, Pontoise: Université de Cergy.Google Scholar
ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) (2017), Early Years Capital Fund. London: ESFA.Google Scholar
Esping-Andersen, G. (2002), ‘A child-centred social investment strategy’ in Esping-Andersen, G., Gallie, D., Hemerijck, A. and Myles, J. (eds.), Why We Need a New Welfare State, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 26–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Esping-Andersen, G., Garfinkel, I., Han, W.-J., Magnuson, K., Wagner, S. and Waldfogel, J. (2012), ‘Child Care and School Performance in Denmark and the United States’, Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 3, 576–589.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
European Commission (EC) (2011), Council conclusions on early childhood education and care (2011/C 175/03). Official Journal of the European Union, 15 June.Google Scholar
EC (2013), Commission Recommendation of 20 February 2013: Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage (2013/112/EU). Official Journal of the European Union, 2 March.Google Scholar
EC (2018), Barcelona Objectives. https://ec.europa.eu/info/files/report-barcelona-objectives_enGoogle Scholar
EC/EACEA/Eurydice/Eurostat (2014), Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe, Luxembourg: European Union.Google Scholar
Fagnani, J. (2012), ‘Recent reforms in childcare and family policies in France and Germany: What was at stake?’ Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 509–516.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Filatriau, O., Fougère, D. and Tô, M. (2013), Will sooner be better? The impact of early preschool enrolment on cognitive and non-cognitive achievement of children, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 9480.Google Scholar
Ferguson, D. (2018), ‘Cuts in nursery funding ‘have hit poor areas hardest’’, The Observer 11 November, https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/oct/28/nursery-funding-cuts-poor-childrenGoogle Scholar
France Inter (2018), ‘Crèches: bonne nouvelle, le nombre de places décolle’, 26 March, https://www.franceinter.fr/societe/creches-enfance-petite-hollande-augmentationGoogle Scholar
Gambaro, L., Stewart, K. and Waldfogel, J. (2015), ‘A question of quality: Do children from disadvantaged backgrounds receive lower quality early childhood education and care?’ British Educational Research Journal, 41, 553–574.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldsmith, M. (2002), ‘Central control over local government: A Western European comparison’, Local Government Studies, 28, 91–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harding, C. and Cottell, J. (2018), Childcare Survey 2018. London: Family and Childcare Trust.Google Scholar
Heckman, J. (2006), ‘Skill formation and the economics of investing in disadvantaged children’, Science, 312, 5782, 1900–1902.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hemerijck, A. (2017), ‘Social investment and its critics’ in Hemerijk, A. (ed.), The Uses of Social Investment, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3–39.Google Scholar
HC (House of Commons ) Work and Pensions Committee (2018), Universal Credit: Childcare, HC 1771, London: House of Commons.Google Scholar
HL (House of Lords ) Select Committee on Affordable Childcare (2015), Affordable Childcare HL Paper 117, London: Stationery Office.Google Scholar
IGEN (Inspection générale de l’éducation nationale) (2014), Scolarité des enfants de moins de trois ans, Rapport n° 2014-043, Paris: IGEN.Google Scholar
IGEN/IGAENR (2011), L’école maternelle, Rapport no. 2011-108. Paris: IGEN/IGAENR.Google Scholar
Jenson, J. (2012), ‘A new politics for the social investment perspective’ in. Bonoli, G. and Natali, D. (eds.), The Politics of the New Welfare State, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 21–44.Google Scholar
Journal officiel (JO ) Sénat (2018), Plan pluriannuel d’investissements pour la création de crèches. Réponse du Ministère des solidarités et de la santé, le 25/01/2018. https://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2017/qSEQ171102266.htmlGoogle Scholar
Kommers, D. (1994), ‘The Constitutional Law of Abortion in Germany: Should Americans Pay Attention?’ Journal of Contemporary Health Law & Policy, 10, 1, 6.Google ScholarPubMed
Le Monde (2018), ‘Les quatre axes du ‘plan pauvreté’ de Macron: Petite enfance, emploi, aides sociales et logement’, 12 September. https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2018/09/12/petite-enfance-systeme-social-les-mesures-phares-du-gouvernement-pour-le-plan-pauvrete_5354200_3224.htmlGoogle Scholar
Lewis, J. (1992), ‘Gender and the development of welfare regimes’, Journal of European Social Policy, 2, 3, 159–173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, J. (2009), Work-Family Balance, Gender and Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, J. and West, A. (2017), ‘Early childhood education and care in England under austerity: Continuity or change in political ideas, policy goals, availability, affordability and quality in a childcare market?’ Journal of Social Policy, 46, 2, 331–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lister, R. (2003), ‘Investing in the citizen-workers of the future: Transformations in citizenship and the state under New Labour’, Social Policy and Administration, 37, 427–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lloyd, E. and Penn, H. (2014), ‘Childcare markets in an age of austerity’, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 22, 3, 386–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hounslow (London Borough) (2017), ‘30 Hours of Free Childcare for 3 and 4 Year Olds – CHAS526’, https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=96344Google Scholar
Manning, M., Garvis, S., Fleming, C. and Wong, T. (2017), ‘The relationship between teacher qualification and the quality of the early childhood care and learning environment’, Campbell Systematic Reviews, 2017:1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McLean, C. (2014), ‘Market managers and market moderators: Early childhood education and care provision, finance and regulation in the United Kingdom and United States’, Journal of European Social Policy, 24, 2, 122–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McLean, C., Naumann, I. and Koslowski, A. (2017), ‘Access to Childcare in Europe: Parents’ Logistical Challenges in Cross-national Perspective’, Social Policy and Administration, 51, 1367–1385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin, C. (2010), ‘The reframing of family policies in France: processes and actors’, Journal of European Social Policy, 20, 5, 410–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin, C. and Le Bihan, B. (2009), ‘Public child care and preschools in France: New policy paradigm and path-dependency’ in Scheiwe, K. and Willekens, H. (eds.), Childcare and Preschool Development in Europe, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, 57–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mätzke, M. (2019), ‘Comparative perspectives on childcare expansion in Germany: Explaining the persistent East–West divide’, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice, 21, 1, 47–64.Google Scholar
Morgan, K. (2002), ‘Forging the frontiers between state, church, and family: Religious cleavages and the origins of early childhood education and care policies in France, Sweden, and Germany’, Politics & Society, 30, 1, 113–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naumann, I. (2011), ‘Towards the marketization of early childhood education and care? Recent developments in Sweden and the United Kingdom’, Nordic Journal of Social Research, 2, 1, 39–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naumann, I. (2014), ‘Access for All? Sozialinvestitionen in der frühkindlichen Bildung und Betreuung im europäischen Vergleich, Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaften’, 17, 19, 113–128.Google Scholar
Norvez, A. (1990), De la naissance à l’école. Santé, modes de garde et préscolarité dans la France contemporaine, Paris: PUF-INED, Cahier no. 126.Google Scholar
OECD (2015), Starting Strong IV Monitoring Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care, Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
OECD (2016a), Low-performing students: why they fall behind and how to help them succeed, Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
OECD (2016b), Who uses childcare? Background brief on inequalities in the use of formal early childhood education and care (ECEC) among very young children, Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
OECD (2016c), OECD Family Database. http://www.oecd.org/els/family/database.htmGoogle Scholar
OECD (2016d), Early childhood education and care: Data country note. Germany, Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
Oliver, R. and Mätzke, M (2014), ‘Childcare expansion in conservative welfare states: Policy legacies and the politics of decentralized implementation in Germany and Italy’, Social Politics, 21, 2, 167–193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Owen, C. and Moss, P. (1989), ‘Patterns of pre-school provision in English local authorities’, Journal of Education Policy, 4, 4, 309–328.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pavolini, E. and Van Lancker, W. (2018), ‘The Matthew effect in childcare use: A matter of policies or preferences?’ Journal of European Public Policy, 25, 6, 878–893.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pfau-Effinger, B. (2005), ‘Welfare state policies and the development of care arrangements’, European Societies, 7, 2, 321–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pfau-Effinger, B. and Smidt, M. (2011), ‘Differences in women’s employment patterns and family policies: Eastern and Western Germany’, Community, Work & Family, 14, 2, 217–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Preissing, C. (2012), Hamburger Bildungsempfehlungen für die Bildung und Erziehung von Kindern in Tageseinrichtungen. Überarbeitete Neuauflage, Hamburg.Google Scholar
Ranson, S. (2008), ‘The changing governance of education’, Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 36, 2, 201–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rodriguez-Pose, A. and Gill, N. (2003), ‘The global trend towards devolution and its implications’, Regional Studies, 39, 4, 405–420.Google Scholar
Rüling, A. (2010), ‘Re-framing of childcare in Germany and England: From a private responsibility to an economic necessity’, German Policy Studies, 6, 2, 153–186.Google Scholar
Ryle, G. (1949), The Concept of Mind, London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Satara-Bartko, C. (2018), ‘Les crèches privées : comment ça marche ?’ 18 April. http://www.parents.fr/bebe/mode-de-garde/les-creches-privees-comment-ca-marche-13266Google Scholar
Schober, P. (2014), ‘Day care trends for children under three years in Germany’, in León, M. (ed.) The Transformation of Care in European Societies, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 208–232.Google Scholar
Schober, P. and Spieß, C. K (2013), ‘Early childhood education activities and care arrangements of disadvantaged children in Germany’, Child Indicators Research, 6, 4, 709–735.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie (2016), Die Betriebserlaubnis https://www.berlin.de/sen/jugend/familie-und-kinder/aufsicht/kitaaufsicht/neugruendung-einer-kita/Google Scholar
Service-Public.fr (2018), ‘Que comprend la prestation d’accueil du jeune enfant (Paje)?’ https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F13218Google Scholar
Sibieta, L. (2015), Schools Spending, IFS Briefing Note, BN168, London: IFS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Statistisches Bundesamt (2004), Kindertagesbetreuung in Deutschland. Einrichtungen, Plätze, Personal und Kosten 1990 bis 2002, Wiesbaden: Statistisches Bundesamt.Google Scholar
Statistisches Bundesamt (2018a), Statistiken der Kinder und Jugendhilfe. Kinder und tätige Personen in Tageseinrichtungen und in öffentlich geförderter Kindertagespflege am 01.03.2017, Wiesbaden: Statistisches Bundesamt.Google Scholar
Statistisches Bundesamt (2018b), Der Personalschlüssel in Kindertageseinrichtungen. Methodische Grundlagen und aktuelle Ergebnisse. Wiesbaden: Statistisches Bundesamt.Google Scholar
Sylva, K., Melhuish, E., Sammons, P., Siraj, I. and Taggart, B. (2014), Students’ Educational and Developmental Outcomes at Age 16. London: DfE.Google Scholar
Thévenon, O. (2011), ‘Pourquoi réformer la politique d’accueil de la petite enfance en France? Comparaison avec les politiques d’autres pays de l’OCDE’, Revue d’économie politique, 121, 5, 667–712.Google Scholar
Thévenon, O. (2016), ‘The influence of family policies on fertility in France: Lessons from the past and prospects for the future’ in Rindfuss, R. and Choe, M. (eds.), Low Fertility, Institutions, and their Policies, Switzerland: Springer, 49–78.Google Scholar
Van Lancker, W. (2018), ‘Reducing inequality in childcare service use across European countries: What (if any) is the role of social spending?’ Social Policy and Administration, 52, 271–292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Villaume, S. and Legendre, E. (2014), ‘Modes de garde et d’accueil des jeunes enfants en 2013’, Études et Résultats, 896.Google Scholar
Warner, M. E. and Gradus, R. H. (2011), ‘The consequences of implementing a child care voucher scheme: Evidence from Australia, the Netherlands and the USA’, Social Policy and Administration, 45, 569–592.Google Scholar
West, A. (2015), ‘Education policy and governance in England under the Coalition Government (2010–15): Academies, the pupil premium, and free early education’, London Review of Education, 13, 2, 21–36.Google Scholar
West, A. and Noden, P. (2019), ‘Nationalising’ and transforming the public funding of early years education (and care) in England 1996–2017’, British Journal of Educational Studies, 67, 2, 145–167.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
West, A., Roberts, J. and Noden, P. (2010), ‘Funding early years education and care: Can a mixed economy of providers deliver universal high quality provision?’, British Journal of Educational Studies, 58, 2, 155–179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
White, L. A. and Friendly, M. (2012), ‘Public Funding, Private Delivery: States, Markets, and Early Childhood Education and Care in Liberal Welfare States – A Comparison of Australia, the UK, Quebec, and New Zealand’, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice, 14, 4, 292–310.Google Scholar