implementing the high scope curriculum … proyectos actividad... · • known as the nature island...
TRANSCRIPT
• Dominica is about 309 sq miles
• Situated between Martinique in the South and Guadeloupe in the North
• Population is approximately 69,000
• Home of the indigenous Carib Indians
• Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean
• Dominica is very mountainous
• A number of hot/sulphur springs
• 365 rivers
• Site for whale watching and deep sea diving
• Abundance of natural fauna and flora
• Abundance of natural fruits and vegetables, …
• Early Childhood is referred to as the period from 0 – 5 years
• ECE began in 1930s with the opening of a few privately owned infant schools
• 1957 opening of the St. Ann’s Day Nursery by the Social Centre
• Following that the focus was on pre-primary education
• Social Centre continued to establish preschools (12); as well as other NGOs
• Somewhere following that period an Education Officer was employed by the MoE to oversee all preschools
• Post became vacant and managing the preschools was left mainly to the Social Centre…
• Government continued to employ an officer who was seconded to the Social Centre…
• 1997 adopted the Education Act 11with provisions for preprimary education
• 2001 Education Act was amended to include daycare centres
• 2001 to 2005 Council on Early Childhood Education
• 2003 Standards and Regulations• 2005 with assistance from UNICEF –
inspection for licensing (deficient in many areas including the area of curriculum)
• 2006 licenses issued for the first time (1yr/3yrs)
• 2007 UNICEF/ Mrs. Sian Williams - Survey with Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS),
• 2009 to now there are 76 preschools catering to the needs of children from 21/2 to 41/2 years –still no government owned centre
• By December 2009 there were approximately 1891children in the preschools
• Surveys had shown that there was inconsistency in what was being done in the preschools – need for a national curriculum
• 2006 – visit to St. Kitts through OAS exchange
• 2006 Dominica became one of the countries to receive assistance from UNICEF with curriculum development
• In 2007 ECE Specialist, Ms Polly Neil from High Scope visited and conducted a training of trainers workshop in implementing the Programme Quality Assessment (PQA) Tool
• 8 facilities on the island were randomly assessed to determine the quality of the ECE programme at these facilities
• The areas assessed were the – Learning environment– Daily routine– Adult-child relationship– Curriculum planning and assessment
• There was deficiency in most of the areas• 2007 Dominica participated in a training of
trainers in St. Kitts• 4 model centres were selected for piloting
the programme but all teachers on island were exposed to the Curriculum
• 2008 Dominica participated in another training of trainers workshop and the 4 lead teachers attended
• 2008 materials were provided to the four model centres and the teachers began to implementing the curriculum focusing on the aspect of small group time
• 2009 physical setting of 4 centres rearranged to include the five basic areas –library, home, block, toy, art, (sand/water)
• Five areas formed the criteria for licensing in all other preschools
• 2009 the four lead teachers visited St. Kitts to gain first hand experience
• Implementation of the daily routine to include Plan – Do- Review
• Is research based• Identifies 58 Key Developmental Indicators
(KDIs) organized under 5 content areas:1. Approaches to learning2. Language, Literacy, and Communication3. Social and Emotional Development4. Physical Development, Health and Well- Being5. Arts and Sciences
• Focuses 5 key areas
1. Active Participatory Learning• Materials- open ended, sufficient, … • Manipulation• Choice• Child thought and language• Adult scaffolding
2. Learning Environment3. Daily Routine
a. Plan - Do – Review Timeb. Small Group Timec. Large Group Timed. Outside Time
e. Snack/Rest4. Adult Child Interaction5. Assessment
Challenges
• Still waiting for ECE policy to be ratified
• All centres are privately owned – teachers depend on school fees …
• Rented space
• Teacher/child ratio
• Insufficient materials
• Fear of Change…