When I entered the UNESCO’s Early Childhood Care and Education website, there are many options to choose from to look into. At the bottom of the screen, has headlines or “news” and options on both left and right side of the page to look over policies, profiles, videos, and the options of “Access“, “Quality“, “Investment“, “Governance”. When I leaned towards these options, since it reminded me of past assignments, Access for instance provided an international reminder that poor children need to be a priority. When looking at the Quality tab, it showed that the ECCE workforce is trained rather well or significantly and I then was pleased to read; “Regular inspection and follow-up of the service as well as adequate health and nutrition components are also crucial for meaningful learning to take place”. This information, for the most part, is very familiar, however on an international level was rather interesting to learn and that these things take great importance within the quality of care. The investment tab brings the subject of resources, or in a way; funding to the surface, or how various governments approach early childhood, if they do at all. When it comes to funding, very little think of it as a priority, when dealing with this, it is best to approach “the private sector“, “Governments must use complementary financing measures to ensure equity of access for poor and disadvantaged children, as a pure market approach to increasing the level of early childhood provision has been shown to favor the privileged, who can afford the service”. (unesco.org)
Exploring this website was very interesting and in a sense, eye opening. A lot of the information was familiar however in a sense of looking at my own professional goals, it truly made me think to the details of the system both locally and internationally. It brings forth the important things that education is lacking now, everywhere. In this aspect, it almost causes me to think on a higher level of advocacy, from where I have never thought of before. In general, this course has caused me to look closer at what really happens “behind the scenes” and draw attention to what is needed in the field, as well as what is needed for me to do better in my profession, in addition to be educated on this higher level of knowledge. I’m feeling less and less like the “sheltered girl” I thought I was at the beginning of this course.
The issue of funding in early childhood education needs serious attention and action. The fact is- without adequate funding there cannot be quality in the care and education given to children and there cannot be equality of access. My international contact mentioned to me the that greatest challenge to the achievement of her goal is financial.
ReplyDeleteI think funding is a challenge worldwide! I wish young children would have the same opportunities as their older siblings, that of a free, public education. I don't want to see them attend public school earlier, I want them to have free, tax supported, public child care. On another note, I would like all children, of all ages, to be able to choose the school they attend. This would put the schools in competition, and possibly challenge them to a higher level of quality!
ReplyDeleteMary L.
What a great website to check into. What little I have been able to explore has really opened my eyes. I have discovered a newfound professional goal to learn more about early childhood education Internationally through our present course (and I am sure future courses). I firmly believe the more information we gain, the more bias free and equal opportunity for education will be created. It may take one small step at a time, but I believe it can be accomplished.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Robin L.
I also looked into this website for my blog assignment this week. I found it very interesting, and there was a great deal of information to look at. Much of it, like you I found to be familiar. You did a great job describing the information. Good Post.
ReplyDelete