`Provides a useful overview of developments in early childhood education research in the countries included and interesting comparative data for further study and analysis. It should prove a useful resource book for the growing number of early childhood professionals and practitioners identified in the book, who are contributing to or have the potential to contribute to research in this field′- International Journal of Early Years Education Providing an overview of early childhood education research, the contributors to to this book provide information on: who undertakes research; where findings are published; their impact on the field; levels of research funding; and links between researchers. The book highlights the main research agendas of the respective countries, and includes a special chapter on the strengths, weaknesses and future of comparative research in education. This book is written by leading representatives of the field of early childhood education and research in eight European Countries - Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdon. It builds on the earlier publication edited byTricia David, Educational Provision for Our Youngest Children: European Perspectives, which provided information about early childhood education systems and their histories in different countries.