Notes, Projects and Queries

The History of Early Years Services in the U.K.

I have been commissioned by the Open University Press to write a history of early years services in the U.K.  The book would cover the current Sure Start programme and all those types of service associated with it – day nurseries, childminding, nursery education, playwork and support offered to parents of young children.  It would start at the 17th century, but the greater part of the book would deal with the 20th century and the greater part of that would deal with the period since the late 1960s.  I will attempt to place what has happened in this professional area in a wider context of social history.

Among the secondary sources I have found particularly interesting so far have been a number of unpublished theses or dissertations.  These have usually examined developments in a particular local authority area over a particular period of time.  They have been submitted as part of the work for the M.Ed. or for an M.A. in Women’s Studies.  However, theses written for M.A.s or Ph.D.s in History or Social Administration could also be useful.

I would be very grateful if any member of the CCHN could draw my attention to any similar unpublished thesis that I might be able to use.  I would also welcome any opportunity to make contact with someone writing such a thesis at present.  We might be able to help each other.

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