For the first time in many years the Early Years are on the political agenda. For those working in the field of early childhood education and care this is both heartening and rewarding. As we approach the end of one millennium and the beginning of another, a group of people representing different aspects of early years provision and practice have come to share their experiences, views and hopes for the future with regard to young children. The contributors include academics, professionals, practitioners, policy makers, politicians, national figures, parents and children. The resulting collection covers a wide range of areas. There are chapters on early language, playfulness, inspection, early influences, ICT, curriculum, and early excellence centres. Many chapters challenge the status quo and point to the necessity of changing some accepted ways of thinking about young children and their social and intellectual development. This is an interesting and thought-provoking book which should be required reading for all those wishing to improve the educare for young children in the twenty-first century. Glenys Kinnock, Rosemary Peacocke, Lesley Abbott, Helen Moylett, Caroline Barratt-Pugh, Tina Bruce, Christopher Ball, Mary Jane Drummond, Rod Parker-Rees, John Abbott, Tricia David, Christine Pasca