Parents
with higher levels of education are more likely to use Montessori and less
likely to use a play-school settings for the Free Preschool Year. (Growing
up in Ireland Study, Nov 2013) Is this due to un-researched decisions,
public perception, personal choice, best-fit for child or is it just
snobbery?
Yes we choose to send
Baby Bear to a playschool, not a Montessori!
I am not
for one minute dissing the Montessori method, in fact I have studied and since
very much admire the ideas of Maria Montessori. I am just outlining the reasons
for our choice to send baby Bear to a playschool.
In Ireland
we have what’s known as the 'Free Preschool Year' or the proper name is 'The
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme'. When the Government were pressured
to do something in relation to the importance of early education, instead of
looking at alternatives, other countries etc., they did what they do best, a
quick fix solution: Throw money at the problem! So the ECCE scheme started in
2010. All children aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1st
September are entitled to free preschool care for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week,
over 38 weeks. This is a free benefit available to all children. While I have
reservations about this being the correct approach to engaging in early
education, while it's still available I’m not complaining!
As Baby
Bear will meet the age requirements for his ECCE year this coming September,
(you can calculate for your child here) we wanted to start him one day a week in the
same place from January last. The place we chose was a playschool. Having
teachers as parents we were both very interested in researching the most
suitable setting for Baby Bear. We are fortunate where we live to have an
excellent Montessori school just up the road, a pre- school within walking
distance, a Naíonra a short spin away, and two play schools near by. We are
spoiled for choice. Which is why so much thought and research went into
it!
We chose
to send Baby Bear to a play-school and here’s why:
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(1) All preschool
services are regulated the same under the preschool regulations regarding HSE
inspections, room size, staff , child ratios etc. They must also follow a
documented curriculum to be in the ECCE scheme. This set our mind at rest
that a play-school might not be 'up to scratch' regulation wise, as people
would lead you to believe.
(2) Baby Bear is an
only child. Social interaction, learning to share, taking turns, making
friends and having fun, was our main objectivities for him. We are less
concerned about pre reading, phonics, writing etc, this will be done at home
but not overloaded, this is the junior infants curriculum. There is so much
time to learn this in school.
(3) The
importance of play.
This really is the
MAIN reason.
(excuse me here, I do
go on a bit of a rant, but I’m just so passionate about it's
importance!!)
Play is
considered so important to a child’s development that the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child (1989) has established it as every child’s
right.
Play is a child’s
way of making sense of the world – a learning tool that engages,
motivates, challenges and pleases.
Play gives them an
opportunity to demonstrate all that they have observed and learned about the
real world and at the same time the opportunity to experiment with how they
can make that learning useful in their own world.
Children are born with
an innate drive to learn – they want to be seen as smart,
intelligent and capable people who can do things, who know things and who are
well connected with family and friends.
Play is not about
completing one task at a time but about dealing with multiple tasks such as
relationships, activities, problem solving, other peoples’ ideas and creating
companionship and enjoyment, all at the same time.
We chose a play-school
because play is what happens from the minute the children walk in the door.
It is not all free play, but play is key. There is not just a 'play space'
but the whole environment, both inside and out are created for play. Toys of
all shapes, sizes and all the 'gender specific' toys are free for all to use.
There is a shop area, a kitchen area, a garage, a hairdressers and so much
more, there are boxes of jigsaws, blocks, bead threading, dolls, buggies,
trucks, tractors, and that’s just what Baby Bear could recall to help me
write this! Play is the emphasis in every corner of the room.
(4) The ethos, the
athmosphere, the staff, and the facilities are warm, welcoming and inviting
for children and parents. While this can be true for any type of pre school
choice, the particular play-school we chose is a home away from home. All the
children run in the door and have smiles on their faces when being collected.
This is important to us.
(5) Outdoor play
area. I don't mean a herb garden or poly tunnel, I mean tyre swings, slides
with a muddy puddle at the end (peppa would love it), sand pits with diggers,
play houses for tea parties/shops etc. The outdoors is one of the best
learning environments for young children, providing an opportunity to
explore, experience and make meaning of the natural world. Children learn
through play, movement, communication, and sensory experience which the
outdoors provides for on a much greater scale than indoors. Play-schools let
children make a cabby under the bushes and use the slide as a rocket ship,
yes the children are told the names of these bushes, but it is when they
encounter them, not sitting inside looking at a picture of a bush.
(6) The particular
playschool we chose is near the primary school we hope Baby Bear will go too,
so hopefully he will make friends that will be in his class right through
primary school.
This post is not
intended as a comparison. I just wanted to share my passion for the
importance of play, and hence our decision to choose a play-school for Baby
Bear. Each child is unique and individual, a play-school is what we think
will suit Baby Bear, whenever another bear should come along we will choose a
pre-school setting that best suits their needs. The Free year could be gone
by then so cost could be playing a massive factor! So while it's lasting Id
advise every parent to grab it with open arms. You have the luxury of
choosing to send your son or daughter to whichever pre school setting you
choose, so do your research, make an informed choice, choose a pre-school
setting that best suits the need of your son or daughter. God knows the next
child might have to learn their ABC's from this child should the government
remove the scheme!
I'd love to hear your
thoughts and comments on this topic.
Now we're off to play!
Untill Next time,
Mommy Bear xx (with help from Baby
Bear, and input from Daddy Bear!)
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References:
Growing up in Ireland Study, Infant Cohort, Nov 2013,
Cork County
Childcare,
Early Childhood
Ireland.
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