European pre-schools

[purepurple]

I am doing a college assignment on early years care in Europe. Anyone got any experiences of how they do it differently in other countries?

I have DC in the Spanish state system (starts aged 3) and private nursery system. What do you want to know?

how does it differ to the Early Years Foundation Stage? What's the same? What is the government position on early years care?

Ooh, have just realised it was you who answered my siblings thread. Thanks.

Ummmm...can you be a bit more specific. It's just that I don't have any actual experience of the EYFS in the UK (we moved here when oldest DC was 2) so find it difficult to compare, although I can answer specific questions about the Spanish system IYSWIM.

In terms of what the basic structure is, they have to start school here at 6, which is when primary school starts. From age 3 to 6 they can attend infant school which is state funded but not compulsory. Some infant schools are attached to primary schools (which is the case for the one my DC attend). There are also private nurseries for the 3 to 6 age group. Pre 3, you can get a state place or a private one at a nursery. The state places are means tested, so you might get it free or have to make a contribution.

I think you';ll find huge regional variations even within countries. Not sure what information you seek to gain from such a vague thread - have you any specific examples of systems you have researched which you would like comments upon. Maybe ask under Living Overseas topic ?

I have to pick one country to compare with the uk so thought I would just test the waters so to speak. Thanks for all your replies, I have sort of decided on Italy so I am off to do some research

In that case look at the Reggio Emilia schools as they are held in high esteem but nto sure how generally that curriculum and principles are applied elsewhere in Italy.

DD (3.7) is in state pre-school in Monaco. The system here is identical to the French system. I have no idea what the system in the UK is like, but here are the basics of ours:

Pre-school is not mandatory but it is very unusual for a child aged 3-6 not to go to one. Cost entirely paid for by the state. We were only asked to pay EUR 50 for the entire year, as "participation" in costs.

Pre-school is not supposed to teach reading/writing, but they will apparently be able to do both by the time they leave this school.

There is one teacher & one teacher's assistant per class. There are 28 kids in DD's class, which came as a bit of a shock because we were told at inscription that they would be 17-18 in each class. Apparently there was a cut in their funding at the last minute and number of classes had to be reduced.

First year (age 3 to 4) is only mornings and 4 days a week (Wednesday the exception) unless both parents are working, in which case they keep kids for lunch and put them to sleep for two hours in the afternoon. DD is there between 8:30 to 11:30.

Most days, they do various kinds of rather messy art, learn songs, and spend lots of time on the outside terrace on bikes and with lots of toys.

Is there anything else you would like to know?

I duno if this helps but in Wales we use foundation phase. This is a curriculum that runs for 3-7 year olds and is a holistic approach to learning.

It is a skills based curriculum.

It is a play based curriculum.

One main difference is that their are 7 areas of learning not 6. but if you google in foundation phase i am sure there would be lots more info.

At 3 children are intitled to 10 hours preschool free.

Hope that helps

cloudhopper, I am interested in the foundation phase and was hoping that it would be such a success in wales that our government would introduce it here and get rid of SATs. But that is just wishful thinking! How has it been going? was it welcomed and what do the children think? It is based more on the scandanavian way of schooling, isnt it? They top the league when it comes to reading but don't teach formal reading until children are 6 or 7, when they start school.

Hay purepurple,

I have to say I do love aspects of the foundation phase. The idea that children go at their own pase and they intiate the learning is great.

There is an emphasis on the children spending part of the day outside whatever thee whether. The use of the outdoors is fantastic and children who do not do so well inside come alive outside.

AS far as I undersatand the foundation phase has taken inspiration from the Regio Amilio approach to learning.

The children love finding out things for themselevs and realy enjoy the multi sensory approach to learning.

I think some teacher found the change hard as they had their way of doing things and this new approach is totally different.

We aim to give our children a mix of adult led and child led activities. As the children get older the amount of adult led activities increases.

Although it has been welcomed by many practitioners some parents do worry that we are not making the children read and write before they are ready this worries parents as some feel that children come to school to learn and should be reading by 5 ect.

Also a big key which is causing some problems is the fact that the ratios which were promised have not been followed up due to money. The ratio for 3-5 year olds is a guide of 1-8, this increases in year one and two to 1-15. These ratios are key to the foundation phase sucsess.

One more thing if you google powys foundation phase for a good website on FP.

thanks for that cloudhopper

In Sweden most children attend day nurseries from about age 1 as most parents go back to fulltime work after their (generous) parental leave. These day nurseries typically focus on practical skills (crafts, helping to prepare lunch) with lots of outings and time outdoors. Children who want to learn to read are not (afaik) actively discouraged, but there is no expectation that they should iyswim.

Traditionally 7 has been considered the appropriate age for starting to read and other formal education: I remember being taught (in the child development lessons which were part of the curriculum in my Swedish secondary school) that 7 is the ideal age to start because that is when most children are mature enough to cope.

These days, the parents choose whether the child starts in Reception aged 6 or goes straigth into Year 1 at age 7.