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An exploration of children's understandings and experiences of quality early childhood education and care Aoife Cooney (12435209) PUREID: 641494556 Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), children have a right to education, to play, to have their best interests at the heart of decision making and to have a voice in matters that concern them (UN, 1989). These rights extend to young children in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECEC) settings. Using a Bourdieusian theoretical lens, and a research approach influenced by participatory and children’s rights based methodologies with a focus on the voice of the child, this study explored children’s understandings and experiences of quality across three different ECEC settings in North-West Ireland. Through the use of research methods, including semi structured interviews as well as such as tablets, digital cameras, playdough and drawing, 33 children (21 girls and 12 boys) aged 2yr 11 month to 5yr 7 month shared their insights on the topic and outlined areas of importance to them. These included the positive relationships developed with friends and adults, the importance of having an influence in their setting and their desire for increased opportunities to engage with ICT and nature. They also highlighted areas that concern them. These included negative aspects of relationships and other aspects of curriculum and pedagogy such as rules. These children were able to provide valuable insight into their understandings and experiences. This thesis concludes by arguing that it is important to systematically provide opportunities for children to be involved in discussions regarding quality ECEC. Ensuring that children’s rights are embedded in ECEC policy and provision has the potential to guarantee this. Neglecting to ensure this occurs is a form of structural censorship and symbolic violence against them. 2026-10-01T16:24:31Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32641272.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/An_exploration_of_children_s_understandings_and_experiences_of_quality_early_childhood_education_and_care/32641272 All Rights Reserved