Abstract
Chinese Abstract
Starting from 2021, the "Workplace Mutual Assistance Education and Care Service Center" (hereinafter referred to as the Education and Care Center) will be a new option for promoting public early childhood education and care services in our country. It not only provides support to parents, but also emphasizes the importance of creating mutual assistance in the workplace. . This study aims to explore the impacts and challenges of childcare staff in implementing mixed-age teaching for children aged 2 to 6 years old in workplace mutual childcare service centers.
This study uses qualitative research to understand the process of childcare service personnel implementing mixed-age teaching for children aged 2 to 6. The results of the analysis of the interviewees' practical experience show that the general public and on-site childcare service personnel have different opinions on the implementation of 2 to 6-year-old mixed-age teaching in childcare centers. The understanding of mixed-age teaching is relatively weak, and it is necessary to re-conceptualize the meaning of teaching in new-style childcare centers. The specific summary is as follows:
1. Re-examination of the current situation of mixed-age teaching for children aged 2 to 6 in childcare centres
1. It has a concept similar to “home”. 2. Review the mixed-age teaching methods for children aged 2 to 6 years old. 3. Review and explore innovative mixed-age teaching methods for children aged 2 to 6. 4. Review the plans of government agencies and public companies to set up education and care centers. 5. The education and childcare center has the value of a small non-profit kindergarten.
II. Overview of the Dilemma of Mixed-Age Teaching for Children Aged 2 to 6
1. Unfriendly environment and space affect the willingness of teaching and childcare service personnel to stay. 2. The pressure of mixed-age teaching due to large age gap. 3. The age ratio of kindergarten classes is too high. 4. Collaborative collaboration and the formation of a common vision are not easy. 5. Differences in parents’ understanding of mixed-age teaching for children aged 2 to 6.
3. "Thinking" about the factors that prevent the childcare service staff in childcare centers from implementing mixed-age teaching for children aged 2 to 6
1. Limited teaching environment and insufficient nearby resources. 2. Professional knowledge and skills for mixed-age teaching with large age gap. 3. The impact of parents’ educational concepts and the lack of outdoor activity venues. 4. Administrative paperwork increases the pressure on teaching and childcare service personnel. 6. Insufficient policy support.
Based on the above research results, the researchers put forward relevant suggestions for teaching and childcare service personnel, educational administrative agencies and future research.
Keywords: workplace mutual aid education and care service center, mixed-age education
