The original concept of the kindergarten, developed in the 1800s, involved guiding and structuring children's play rather than attempting formal instruction. The kindergarten served as a transition from the home to the school environment. During the twentieth century kindergartens have been seen increasingly as tools to be used for shaping…

This position paper offers recommendations related to problems and promises of early childhood education in the public schools. Issues of particular concern to school boards in the state of New York are considered. A summary of recommendations and introductory background information are followed by a section that focuses on child care and the…

This report presents evaluations of 25 early learning materials kits, designed for use with young children in nursery school, kindergarten, and day care centers. Each evaluation includes: a physical description of the kit (with cost information), the target audience, content and objectives, methods of use, conditions of use, rationale, research…

This paper examines some of the critical needs in early childhood education and suggests ways in which the National Laboratory on Early Childhood Education can contribute to filling those needs. The age, race, socioeconomic status and residence of children enrolled in preschool programs nationwide are examined, and it is concluded that many more…

Compares school readiness expectations of preschool and kindergarten teachers. Results indicate that preschool teachers had higher expectations than did kindergarten teachers for kindergarten entry skills. Preschool teachers' expectations approximated kindergarten teachers' expectations of children's performance at kindergarten exit. (Author/BB)

This issue, devoted to early childhood education, including day-care centers and kindergartens, contains an historical review, a statement on the current controversy over the status of sixth graders as preschoolers and several articles from two child psychologists on child development. (JH)

Discusses the economic rationale for providing educational and day-care facilities to young children, using an expanded social cost-benefit framework. Argues that very little is known about the socioeconomic effects of providing kindergarten and nursery facilities and proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda. (Author/RH)

Describes preschool education as it is integrated into the day care system in Finland. Discusses founding of first Finnish kindergartens, growing need for more extensive day care, the current municipal day care system, the Day Care Act guaranteeing the subjective right to day care for all children under age 7, and the educational role of day care.…

There is an increasing demand for expanded services for preschool children. Attention is now focused on many issues related to the goals and content of such programs, including appropriate settings and age of populations served. In the past, U.S. programs for children of preschool age have included kindergartens stressing educational development,…

There is a clear need in our country today for early education programs aimed at accelerating the cognitive development of disadvantaged children. Another need is for centers to care for the children of working mothers. Our traditional nursery schools have deemphasized early cognitive development while day care programs have been focused on…

Noting that in Canada, regulated child care and most other early childhood services are under provincial jurisdiction, this report provides statistical and other information on early childhood care and education services for each province and territory in Canada. Data were collected by means of questionnaires sent to each provincial/territorial…

Surveyed Austrian kindergarten teachers about their perceptions of the function of kindergarten in the context of current socioeconomic conditions. Found that teachers no longer see kindergarten as merely an education-providing institution: one-fourth considered kindergarten's main task to be substituting for family care; one-fifth claimed that…

Discusses the evolution of kindergarten and child care services in Quebec. Describes the state of preschool education and raises questions concerning the future of Quebec's preschool education. (RJC)

In response to parents' needs, New Zealand has developed a diverse range of early childhood care and education services. These services include kindergarten programs; child care centers with trained staff; play centers that are parent cooperatives; Te Kohanga Reo (Maori speaking centers) located on tribal property; home-based networks (clusters of…