1. Globalization, transformation, and cultures - Theoretical notes and perspectives on reconceptualization and international comparison in Early Childhood Education and Care -- 2. The contribution of cultural studies to early childhood education discourses and research -- 3. Dimensions of International Comparison in Early Childhood Education and Care - Theoretical notes -- 4. (E)Utopia: the local, the global and the imaginary in early childhood Education -- 5. GERM and its Effects on ECEC: Analyzing Unintended Consequences and Hidden Agendas -- 6. A cultural-historical analysis of "Childhood" and "Early Childhood Education" in contemporary Iran -- 7. Understanding culturally specific pedagogy and practices within Swedish Early Childhood Education and Care -- 8. Doing Ethnicity? The representation and negotiation of cultures in ECEC as an unexplained research task -- 9. Peer Culture and Mealtimes with Toddlers in a Child Care Context: "Put your bowls on the table. It's not a toy" -- 10. "We do not make angels here" Secularism in Norwegian kindergartens -- 11. A social justice perspective in early childhood teacher education -- 12. "After lunch we offer quiet time and meditation" Early Learning Environments in Australia and Finland Through the Lenses of Educators -- 13. Teachers' Involvement in Their Designed Play Activities in a Chinese Context -- 14. Professionalization and change - recognition of qualifications, educational processes and competencies in Germany -- .