This text traces the history of early childhood education from the 18th century in Europe to New Zealand in the 20th century. It discusses attitudes to children and childrearing, and reviews practices of childcare and early childhood education over time.

An account of childhood care in postwar New Zealand - the evolution of social policy, the role of the state and the changing ideas about how children learn. It follows the author's "Discovery of Childhood", which traced the development of institutional care for children in Europe and New Zealand.