Originally written by Elinor Goldschmied, Sonia Jackson and Ruth Forbes have now revised this comprehensive, practice-oriented book on the education and care of young children. The focus of this foundational work is on the play and learning of very young children and is particularly aimed at those who care for them daily. However, it also serves as a valuable resource for leaders and students in social work and education. All practical ideas in this book have been developed and tested in nurseries and family centers in the UK. The examples demonstrate the importance of providing babies and toddlers with opportunities for exploratory and investigative play, as well as understanding the emotional needs of children and responding to them with individualized and sensitive care.