Problematising Quality Reform Policy in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care

This study undertook an in-depth historical analysis of the discourse of quality in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) policy, in Australia. It is shown that quality reforms position 'quality' as the affecter of human capital and site of government investment, not ECEC access. This assumption underpins 'high stakes' policy structures that attempt to shape the behaviour not only of educators and families, but also of children.