scholarly journals Transition from Preschool to Standard One in Botswana Public Primary Schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-77
Author(s):  
Eureka Baneka Mokibelo ◽  
Nkobi Owen Pansiri
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Transitional Bilingual ◽  
Transitional Bilingual Education ◽  
Childhood Education

Purpose: This paper examines transition from Preschool to Standard One in the Early Childhood Education programme implemented in 2013 in Botswana public primary schools. Methodology: The methodology employed in this study is the qualitative approach with multi-case study technique to investigate the implementation of the Early Childhood Education programme. Transitional Bilingual Education is used as the theoretical framework to benchmark the realities of transition from Preschool to Standard One classrooms. Data collection was done using open ended questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and scrutiny of learners’ artifacts. Results: The findings indicated that transition is not smooth due to the languages of instruction used at both Preschool and Standard One, learners who do not attend Preschool and lack of teacher aides in Standard One classes. The study concluded that there must be harmonization of languages of instruction at both levels to enable smooth transition. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: Lastly, the study recommends compulsory Preschool learning for all young learners before entry into Standard One.

scholarly journals Vaccination uptake among Australian early childhood education staff: assessing perceptions, behaviours and workplace practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Seale ◽  
Stephanie Dwyer ◽  
Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Rajneesh Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Center Staff ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Education Centre ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination

Abstract Background Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) staff are strongly recommended to receive several immunizations including influenza and pertussis. However, evidence regarding the uptake is either old or lacking across all Australian States/Territories. This study aimed to explore the attitudes and barriers around ECEC staff vaccination and the immunisation policy/practices employed at their workplaces. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was undertaken of staff members (administrators and childcare center staff) in early 2017. We compared the individual’s knowledge, attitude and practices as well as the centre’s policy and practice variables between the vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents. A logistic model was used to identify the factors associated with uptake of the different vaccines. Results A total of 575 ECEC staff completed the survey. Sixty percent reported being aware of the recommendations about staff immunisation. While participants did acknowledge that they could spread diseases if unvaccinated (86%), 30% could not recall receiving a dTpa in the last 10 years. Private centres were less likely to provide free or onsite vaccination compared to other categories of centres. Less than half reported receiving any encouragement to get the influenza vaccine and only 33% reported that their centre provides onsite influenza vaccination. Regarding the introduction of mandatory policies, 69% stated that they would support a policy. Conclusion Employers should consider supporting methods to maximize vaccination of their employees including providing free onsite vaccination. Participants were open to idea of mandatory vaccination; however, this needs to be explored further to determine how vaccine costs and access issues could be resolved.

Deconstructing teacher quality in urban early childhood education

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Jemimah L. Young ◽  
Bettie Ray Butler ◽  
Inna N. Dolzhenko ◽  
Tameka N. Ardrey
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
African American ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Early Learning ◽  
Structural Quality ◽  
African American Children ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
American Children

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to deconstruct the extant scholarship on quality in early childhood education and to emphasize the importance of extending the literature to explore the potential influence that a teachers’ educational background may have on kindergarten readiness for African American children in urban early learning settings. Design/methodology/approach Research has identified high-quality early education as a significant contributor to the academic success and development of young children. This paper examines current conceptualizations and trends in early childhood education related to the needs of African American children. Findings Our assessment indicates that the early learning of African American children in urban settings warrants further consideration by educational stakeholders. Specifically, the process and structural quality of urban early learning environments requires more culturally responsive approaches to policy and practice. Originality/value Improving the early learning opportunities of African American students in urban settings has practical and social implications that substantiate the value of the process and structural quality assessments. Recommendations for policy and practice are centered on a growth-based model of opportunities. Policy recommendations include creating urban teacher credentials and sustaining urban education, while practical recommendations include creating opportunities for vicarious experiences, affirming interactions and engaging in multicultural discourse.

scholarly journals THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN FREEDOM THEORY IN EARLY EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Zainal Fadri
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Human Freedom ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Holistic Manner

Early childhood education is now an obligation to prepare children for further education. Education in primary schools has levels that must be taken first with the aim that the child is ready to attend lessons first, such as education in kindergarten and early childhood education. This study aims to look at human freedom in undergoing early childhood education and the values contained in education. The theory of freedom is used to examine the harmony between the spirit of preparing for education with the pure value of human freedom, so that it can be said that early childhood education is a freedom. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative. Data analysis was carried out in a holistic manner to achieve an exploration of the theory of freedom contained in early childhood education. The results of this study prove that early childhood education can be said that the implementation of freedom will support the true free human being, that is, free from ignorance and backwardness.

scholarly journals The 20 Hours Free Early Childhood Education Programme: A USA Perspective

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Bushouse
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Low Income Families

This article provides a comparative perspective on early childhood education (ECE) policy in the USA and New Zealand. The contrast between the two countries is significant. In the USA the federal government funds early childhood education only for the poor and disabled. Some individual states have created their own funding programmes, but again, they primarily target children from low-income families. Only a few provide universal access. By way of contrast, the New Zealand 20 Hours Free programme initiated in 2007 provides 20 hours of free ECE for three- and four-year olds regardless of family income. This article discusses the creation of the programme, starting with its genesis in 2005, and considers what are regarded as “wedge” issues, the controversy over the exclusion of private services and parent/whanau-led services, and the ongoing debate over the restriction on “top-up” fees. In the current global economic crisis, it remains to be seen whether the recently-elected National-led government will continue to fully fund the programme or revert to a subsidy strategy.

scholarly journals Comparative international testing of early childhood education: The democratic deficit and the case of Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Sousa ◽  
Sue Grey ◽  
Laura Oxley
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Democratic Deficit ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Individual School ◽  
The Individual ◽  
International Testing

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has a key role in driving educational discourse and global educational governance. Its comparative ‘Programme of International School Assessment’ (PISA) has explicitly linked the knowledge and skills of young people with the economic potential of countries. Through the International Early Learning and Child Well-Being Study (IELS), the OECD plans to extend its reach to early childhood education (ECE) by developing metrics to measure ‘quality’ in ECE. This focus gives weight to discourses centred around ideas of ‘what works’. The rhetoric derives from the principles that standards of learning and well-being can be improved by emulating notions of ‘best practice’ identified through comparative data.  This article uses the case of Portugal to illustrate the significant disconnect between the aims and pedagogies of ECE and the increasingly influential de-contextualised discourses concerning ranking, performance and outcomes, as espoused by the OECD IELS project. Using evidence from three diverse Portuguese ECE settings, we illustrate how conceptual understandings of democracy in each school closely reflected the individual school philosophies. We discuss how the dampening of localised realities, for example, through standardisation and de-contextualisation, could lead to a democratic deficit enabled by discourses which displace the purpose, complexity and subjectivity of ECE policy and practice.

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