In recent years Australia has seen a national change in policy focus for the
provision of early childhood services. The change has been from delivery of a
discrete education model of sessional preschool to a diverse range of services to
families. This policy focus is reflected in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
There has been a move from a discrete preschool provision by the Department of
Education and Training to a more cohesive early childhood approach by
Children's Services Branch within the expanded Department of Education and
Training and Children's, Youth and Family Services Bureau.
The purpose of the study is to investigate reasons for, and nature of, the shift in
policy focus and the impact on preschool staff in the ACT. The review of
literature reveals that implementation of a more cohesive provision of early
childhood services in Australia has not been without difficulties. These difficulties
are investigated.
The research is undertaken at an ACT Government preschool site. At this site
the sessional government preschool and a community long day care centre are
located in a purpose built shared facility. The research traces the values and
practices of preschool staff in the sessional government preschool as they work
in the shared facility in the first year of operation.
Action research is employed in the form of a single case study, and guided by
principles of Problem Based Methodology to clarify the issues involved and
develop strategies to address a positive way forward in the ACT.
The reflective, qualitative research provides the government preschool staff and
the researcher with opportunities to develop and implement strategies to address
difficulties. These difficulties are discussed in the context of the review of
literature.
Drawing on conclusions and recommendations from the case study, the
investigation provides management insight into a way forward for more cohesive
provision of early childhood services in the ACT.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219295 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Roantree, Anne Elizabeth, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Teacher Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Anne Elizabeth Roantree |
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