The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for qualitative progress of all-day classes, which are expected to be expanded, through finding out the way to develop all-day program. For the purpose, this study investigated the perception of the ...
The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for qualitative progress of all-day classes, which are expected to be expanded, through finding out the way to develop all-day program. For the purpose, this study investigated the perception of the teachers at public kindergartens in Gyeonggi-do, who have executed all-day program(7:00~20:00) combining education and care according to the current of the times.
Research questions of this study were as follows:
1. What is the teachers' perception of all-day class operation in public kindergarten?
2. What is the teachers' perception of their re-education and the education program in all-day class in public kindergarten?
3. What is the teachers' perception of nutrition, health, and safety in all-day public kindergarten?
4. What is the teachers' perception of facilities and finances in all-day public kindergarten?
5. What is the teachers' perception of parents participation in all-day public kindergarten?
6. What is the teachers' perception of the problems and improvement measures on all-day class operation in public kindergarten?
The participants of this study were 206 teachers who work in all-day classes at public kindergartens in Gyeonggi-do and have executed Edu-care program since March, 2006. 127 questionnaires were totally analyzed. For the purpose of this study, questionnaire was used, and the questionnaire was developed by the researcher based on the references and former studies about all-day class and Ed-care program. It consists of 7 categories and 32 questions. SPSS 12.0 program was used to analyze the data as frequency and percentage. Average and standard deviation were calculated in rating scale questions.
The results of the study are summarized as follows;
First, regarding the teachers' perception of all-day class operation, most of them needed all-day class to help working mothers. And they thought that all-day classes should be run independently and they should be the same age groups. They thought the appropriate class size is 16~20 children for same age class, and 10~15 for mixed age class. They wanted to operate the vacations flexibly according to the parents' opinions, and they wanted no class on holidays. Teachers conceived that the best all-day class time is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and they needed assistant teachers for management.
Second, as for the all-day education program, teachers suggested that safety, protection, and daily life education should be added to half-day class curriculum. In detail, teachers preferred outdoor activities, cooking, formative arts, and science program. Almost all the teachers needed their re-education such as education plan and activities for all-day classes.
Third, most teachers thought they have to offer lunch and snacks twice - in the morning and afternoon. In case of lunch, it is the best way to use school meal service. As for snacks, they can be cooked in kindergarten or bought. Teachers had opinions that it had better keep a certain time for a nap, but have adaptability reflecting children's requirement. For the safety and health of the children, teachers asserted that they need to keep children's health records and parents contact information, and also fix the attending clinic.
Fourth, when it comes to the facilities and equipments, teachers required rooms for all-day classes above all. In the next place, they needed air-conditioning and heating equipment, big muscle activity places, water and sand places, and cooking places in order. Teachers thought that the finances should be invested for hiring the staff such as assistant teachers, cooks, and cleaners, and also for maintenance and new construction of the kindergarten building.
Fifth, about parents' participation, teachers emphasized on exchange of children's daily lives through home correspondence or short letters.
Sixth, regarding the problems and improvement measures, teachers pointed out that no concrete guide and unseparated all-day classes are the worst problems. During vacations, they had difficulties providing lunch and snacks due to the shortage of cooking equipment and cooks, and also had trouble with joining in teacher training programs. About the all-day class curriculum, they mentioned that lack of various education program and unconnected curriculum between morning and afternoon classes were the major problems. Teachers also felt difficulty to deal with children's safety because they stay in the kindergarten for a long time. In connection with all-day class management, teachers chose different commuting time and stress caused by long class time as the biggest flaws. And then, they mentioned they confused their identities as teachers.