For this week's blog assignment I had to review UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage because I have been unsuccessful with establishing contact with professionals from the podcast as well as UNICEF professionals in different parts of the world. I would like to talk with professionals because I think it is important to share ideas and gain professional insight from those that are already working in the field. I will continue to try to make some kind of connection with these professionals as I believe networking in the field of Early Childhood is important especially since it is constantly changing.
As I reviewed UNESCO's website, I read under the investment and financing tab that in developing countries, Early Childhood Education often takes the backseat to establishing primary education; other pressing issues and priorities can also take precedence over ECE. Here in America, early education is becoming increasingly important but it has not always been at the forefront. The website also suggested that private sector childcare was more likely to render quality and effective care than those programs supported by government funds. I personally always thought it would be the other way around, government funds seem more stable. Privately funded childcare centers usually have their own rules regarding curriculum, staff development, and operating policies; this sometimes makes it difficult for universal policies to be enforced. The third idea/insight that caught my attention was under the "Coordination and Integration" tab. I found it interesting that cross-sectoral coordination on the national level is an ongoing issue for both developing and developed countries. Some have resulted to dividing up sectoral task by age and services, others have developed an individual group that deals directly with sectoral responsibilities. This is only one of many obstacles that the field of Early Education faces globally in both developed and developing countries.
The website gave brief descriptions under each topic and presented ideas and information clearly. The site also had study related information out to the right side of each section. Under the worldwide tab information was available on five different parts of the world. This global website is excellent for teachers, professionals, parents, and those interested in Early Education.
Resources
(http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/)
Hi Danielle
ReplyDeleteI also explored this website and I found that it was very interesting and informative. It was interesting to read about the different programs that are available. Good Post!
LaRoyia
Danielle do you believe that learning starts at birth? Also I believe that more organizations should invest in early childhood education and they would realize the benefits of it.
ReplyDeleteDanielle,
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent post. I enjoyed learning from you some of the key issues that bother both developed and developing countries. Being from a developing country that is not doing well at the moment economically, early childhood education is at the bottom of any list for immediate change and tackling. It is heart wrenching to see the current affairs and it is also true that whatever limited quality there is, it is happening in the private industry and is accessible only to people above the middle class income. Therefore everyone else who is forced to use the government services are getting very mediocre care in early childhood (if at all it exists) and the same is true for primary school education all the way up to higher education!!
There is much work needed to be done in Education all over the world but it does not seem to get the attention it deserves in majority of the cases!
Thanks,
Divya