EarlyCLASS – Segregation in ECEC services

The study investigates a potential source of inequality among children, specifically the socioeconomic differentiation of services, known as segregation. The primary focus is on examining the extent of segregation within early childhood education services and identifying the factors that contribute to it.

In Finland, municipalities are legally responsible for organizing early childhood education services, and every child has the right to participate if their guardians wish. This setup has led to the assumption that all children, regardless of their family background, enjoy equal access to these services. However, the actual degree of equality is unclear, and it remains uncertain how changes in the early childhood education system impact the paths of children from diverse backgrounds.

The project concentrates on two significant developments that might influence the potential divergence of early childhood education paths. First, the rise in private early childhood education has sparked concerns about possible segregation due to the selectivity of service users in private settings. Second, the shortage of personnel in early childhood education is another crucial aspect. Initial data suggests that some Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers experience staff shortages more than others. Yet, it is not known to what extent this shortage is concentrated in centers serving different clienteles.

The study explores regional factors, such as the locations of private and public ECEC centers and family day care, alongside socioeconomic segregation of children and staff shortages. Previous research indicates a strong potential interconnection between these phenomena.

By examining these aspects together, the research aims to enhance our understanding of segregation within early childhood education services and the underlying mechanisms that contribute to it.