Toward an Expanded Conceptual Model of Early Childcare and Education Quality: A Computational Analysis of 53 Years of Research

• In Event: Workforce Wellbeing and Retention in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

Early childcare and education (ECE) is critical to children’s long-term development. However, defining what constitutes “quality” in ECE remains contested. This study investigates how ECE quality has been conceptualized in scholarly research over the past 53 years. Drawing on 13,657 publications from 1970 to 2023, we applied BERTopic, a transformer-based topic modeling technique, to identify key themes and trace their evolution over time. Findings reveal 33 major topics, ranging from policy to curriculum, pedagogy, equity, and educator well-being. The results indicate more diverse and interdisciplinary concerns, moving beyond traditional definitions. These insights support the development of a more inclusive conceptual model of ECE quality that reflects multiple perspectives and evolving societal needs.

Author

• Yan Jiang, Stanford University