Inconvenient truths about early childhood education and care: Workers’ lives matter

Abstract

The collection of articles (four empirical research and one conceptual), two colloquia and book review that make up this special issue share many of the important, uncomfortable and ignored topics that the original editors of this special issue foregrounded in their call for papers. Together, the works contained in this issue make visible truths about the ECEC workforce across the globe that have long been ignored or marginalised. The inconvenience of these truths – why they are so and to whom – has been laid bare. Also included are the many reasons why the inconvenient truths are significant and deserve to become the focus of priorities within the early childhood sector and government policies. Ultimately, recognising and acting to better support educators is critical if we really do want children to have the high-quality experiences that make a difference to their lives now and in the future. It is also critical that the work of millions of educators – most of them women – be recognised and valued for the skill it requires and for the social good it provides, and because the goals of social justice that we work towards for children and families should also be extended to educators themselves.