}
with children aged below 6. While any sample survey of this type can give misleading impressions, it is considered that the results of the survey represent the best available information on the nature of pre-primary services required and is a reasonably reliable guide to future demand.
The survey, which was carried out in July 1978, indicated that out of the 2,965 children in the sample, 1,206 were attending either a child care centre or a kinder- garten. There was no evidence to indicate that income affected parents' choice. 94% of the 1,756 children who were not receiving any form of institutional care or education were under 4 years of age and upon reaching what their parents would consider a suitable age, 1,707 (97.2%) would be sent to either a child care centre or a kindergarten. About 75% of these families wanted half-day provision.
3.7
A series of questions were asked to ascertain parents' preferences for child care centres or kindergartens and their reasons for such a choice. Overall, 71.5% selected kindergartens, 24.5% chose child care centres, 1.7% wanted both, 0.5% preferred to keep their children at home and 1.8% had no preference. It is evident that although most parents preferred kindergartens, the demand for child care centres is still higher than the number of places being provided.
3.8
Although parents may differ in their choice of pre-primary institution, there was a surprising degree of uniformity in their expectations of the type of programmes which should be provided in child care centres and kindergartens. A high ranking was given to socialization by 91.7% of the parents. The Government believes that this is prompted by the home environ- ment of many children who are left alone without playmates. Another significant finding was the apparently low priority given to formal teaching which suggests that parents would welcome a more relaxed approach.
Estimates of demand
3.9
The survey showed that the ratio of demand for kindergarten places to child care centre places was 3.2:1. However this ratio will be affected by policy proposals in this Green Paper. In Chapter 2, it has already been stated that:
(a) the nature of kindergartens as presently operated did not
appear to be suitable for children under 3 years 8 months;
}
(b)
(c)
a 2-year kindergarten course was adequate educationally and that to admit children at a younger age would introduce a difference in the type of provision required; and
child care centres were more suitable and provided a better alternative for children below 3 years 8 months.
On the basis that kindergartens should generally provide a 2-year course for children above 3 years 8 months, it is estimated that the demand for child care centre and kindergarten places is as follows:
17
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.