A political and economic perspective

1. Compensating for disadvantage and equalising educational opportunities

1.1. The areas of research and theory briefly summarised

1.1.1. in Section I

1.1.1.1. provide an

1.1.1.1.1. theoretical

1.1.1.1.2. empirical

1.1.1.1.3. focussed research

1.1.1.1.4. policy studies within ECCE

2. Evaluating long-term outcomes from early intervention

2.1. the long-term

2.1.1. outcomes

2.1.1.1. Head Start

2.1.1.1.1. to be

3. Early childhood and human capital

3.1. is now strongly expressed within

3.1.1. international ECCE policy initiatives

3.2. linear relationship exists between

3.2.1. human capital investment

3.2.2. rates of return in early childhood

3.2.2.1. with benefits well above costs

4. Human capital, ethics and politics

4.1. ethical objections can also be offered to investment

4.1.1. in human capital

4.1.1.1. as a major rationale for developing ECCE policy

4.1.1.1.1. in particular through its linkage with an instrumental view of the young child as a natural resource to be exploited.