The public–private partnership in ECEC provision in Norway

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article seeks to answer three central questions pertaining to public–private partnership in early childhood education and care (ECEC provision) in Norway: How has public–private partnership developed during the last four decades? How is public–private partnership understood in Norwegian ECEC policy? What seem to be the future challenges in public–private partnership in Norway? The approach to these questions is to view ECEC provision in relation to the Norwegian policy areas of welfare, work, family, and education. The developments within public–private partnership in Norwegian ECEC have followed two main principles. The first one is the rational organisational perspective. ECEC is a means to meet major problems in society. This is achieved through rationally constructed policy, and public–private partnership is an integral part of this policy. The second principle is dominated by established organisational traditions. Partnership in itself is in accordance with traditions in the ECEC sector in Norway. This understanding of ECEC quality in partnership is consistent with how this has historically been expressed in the sector.