GLOBAL CHILD CARE: ITALY

ECEP 104 - 062A Group Presentation By: Cinzia,

Elizabeth, Jianfeng, Sadaf, Sonia and Youngsil

Please Enjoy Your Italian Treat

Benvenuto - Welcome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JsdiTiowGM

Numbers Song in Italian – Canzone dei Numeri

ITALY AGENDA

Introduction (Elizabeth) Treats (Cinzia) Philosophy (Elizabeth) History (Sadaf) ECE Roles and Training

(Cinzia) Child Care Systems (Sonia) Accessibility (Youngsil) Availability (Jianfeng) Crossword Puzzle (Jianfeng) Summary (Sadaf) Bibliography

…PHILOSOP

HYLocated in Northern Italy, Reggio Emilia is the birthplace to Italy's innovative approach to Early Childhood Education. The signature educational philosophy was started by Loris Malaguzzi (a teacher) and the village parents in Reggio Emilia after World War II.

Malaguzzi based his theory on Dewey, Piaget and Vygotsky: "Learning occurs through relationships and interactions. Learning is continuous and emergent" (week 3 class notes, ECEP 104).

Curriculum is built and based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community.

“There are no set materials. These are gathered as projects are determined and started” (week 3 class notes, ECEP 104). Children are free to explore and discover in a supportive and enriching environment based on their interests.

Emergent curriculum "first appeared in the 1970's" (page 52: Essentials of Early Childhood Education)

"Emergent curriculum is an approach that encourages early childhood practitioners to really respond to their immediate surroundings - physical place and people - and guide children's natural curiosity about their environment to encourage learning" (page 52: Essentials of Early Childhood Education). In Ontario, the emergent curriculum is based on the Reggio Emilia approach.

Curriculum is based on the cues of the children (including their interests and development of emerging ideas).

There is freedom within the learning structure. The emphasis for emergent curriculum is on in-depth projects to facilitate learning.

PHILOSOPHY:

Teachers are considered as co-learners and collaborators with children - much more than just an instructor.

Parents are a vital component to Italy's education philosophy, viewed as partners and advocates for their children. Parents are expected to take part in discussions about school policy, curriculum planning, and evaluation.

"We strive to create an amiable early childhood setting where children, early childhood educators and families feel a sense of well-being" (page 87: Essentials of Early Childhood Education, quote from Loris Malaguzzi).

Teachers brainstorm as a team, and are "true partners with children and their families in the educational process" (week 3 PP class notes, ECEP 104). Teachers "develop plans with the children for assisting the learning experiences" (week 3 class notes, ECEP 104).

Parental involvement in a child's learning is encouraged.

"The most effective curriculum is custom-designed for each early childhood program" (page 55: Essentials of Early Childhood Education).

History of Italy’s Childcare• At the end of World War II, there was urging to bring change and create new schools for their young children.

• In 1967 all the preschools were transferred to the city government thanks to a famous group at the time, the union of Italian women (also called the U.D.I.)

• The founder of Early Childhood Education system was Loris Malaguzzi who created this system by the need to women returning to work force.

• By 1980’s the Reggio Emilia philosophy of Early Childhood Education became known in Italy and internationally.

• Since 2004 there was a fast network of services created to make it possible for families who are requesting a place in child care.

• Statistics show that profit and non-profit facilities have 1600 children attending infant- toddler centres, 40% from birth to three years (highest percentage in Italy), and 90% three

to six years attend preschools (about 3500 children).

History of Ontario’s Childcare• During World War II, the Dominion Provincial War Time Agreement shared 50% of the cost to support childcare programs for mothers who worked in industries.

• Only Ontario and Quebec agreed to the federal cost sharing, but only a number of childcare centers opened in Ontario, with the majority in Toronto.

• After the World War II, the federal government took back the cost sharing agreement and federal funding for child care in Ontario, and announced that all the day nurseries were to be closed.

• City of Toronto maintained to be open, and re-opened centers due to public pressure that was organized by Toronto base nursery and day care Parents Association.

• In 1946 Toronto was the first province to establish the Day Nursery Act.

• In 1966 Canada established the Canada Assistance Plan; there was subsidies for families that qualify.

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- Plan activities and lessons based on the child’s interest. They also interact with the children and not sitting back just to observe.

- Planned program by observing the children or documentation.

- Both teachers and students participate together on a project to make sure that the child understands what is being taught.

- Co-construct the child’s knowledge and goalsTeacher nurtures the children’s play from birth to 5 years old.

- Observe the children in order for them to create a curriculum and have it implemented.

- Working in groups along with activities done individually with each child.

- Work with children to help them achieve their goals.Teacher nurtures the children’s play from ages 6 months to 6 years old.

- Observing classroom and children.

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- Requires a 3 year course to teach children under the age of three as the basis.

- Varies from 2 semester programs to 3 or 4 year degree programs to take care of children.

- Infant and Toddler centres do not require one to have post secondary training, but for a childcare centre for the ages of 28 months to 6 years of age you require a 5 year degree.

- Requires post secondary training, along with CPR and first aid in order to work in childcare centres.

Types of Childcare Systems

PUBLIC PRIVATE

Accepting ages3-5.

Not open to the public.

95% of children attended public services.

It’s more expensive and overpriced.

Only for low income families.

Timing depends on child’s care.

Accepted depends on family size and income.

Fewer children than public childcare systems.

INFORMAL LICENSED

Not owned by law. Learning and healthy development provided.

Provided by friends, relatives, neighbors or nannies.

Constantly inspected and monitored by Ministry of children and youth services.

Initiated by law reaching the standards of care.

ACCESSIBILITYo Free of charge and full-time coverage for over

90% of children between the ages of 3 and 6 in 2006.

o Example : Regions like Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna during the past 30 years, have invested highly in early childhood education.

o Free public school service available to all children at age four and five for half-days or full-days.

o Example : Child care (centres, family homes, nursery schools, and preschools) are licensed and regulated, but there is only minor government financial support of these services.

Italy:

Ontario:

ITALY AVAILABILITY IN ITALY

1. For children 3-6 years of age, child care centers are free and available to all children .

2. For children under 3 years of age, it varies in different regions.

3. Most child care centers for children under 3 years of age are nonprofit. Government Municipal Religious Private

ITALY AVAILABILITY IN ITALY

• Child care opportunities are limited and a large proportion of parents use informal care to take care of their children. The limitations of childcare opportunities concern both availability and costs.

• In terms of availability, Public childcare is also more expensive than in other countries. Public subsidy accounts for about 80% of the total cost in Italy. Private childcare is also more expensive, about 30% more than public childcare (Del Boca, Locatelli and Vuri 2005).

ITALY AVAILABILITY IN ITALY

• An increasing demand for more flexible and longer hours of care. The priority in public childcare waiting lists depends on the working status of parents, family composition and type, and children’s health. The length of waiting lists is indicated by the fact that for every 100 applications, 33 are registered on a waiting list (Del Boca Locatelli and Vuri 2005).

•The small proportion of young children using childcare is not only because of a lack of availability or the relatively high costs. As the World Values Survey shows, Italian mothers are those most convinced that young children are better off being looked after by their mother.

ON

TAR

IO AVAILABILITY IN ONTARIO

1. Kindergarten is free for children 4 and 5 years of age.

2. For children under 3 years of age, daycare subsidies are available .

3. Most child care centers for children under 3 years old are nonprofit.

Child care centers Nursery school and preschool Regulated family child care Early childhood intervention

CROSSWORD TIME!

5 MINS!!!5 minutes!

Crossword..P U B L I C

I N F O R M A L

R E S P E C T

N I N E T Y

P R I V A T E

NVO

VEM

N

L

C

NSED

SUMMARYCHILD CARE IN ITALY

The educational philosophy was started by Loris Malaguzzi (a teacher) and the village parents in Reggio Emilia after World War II.

Teachers are considered as co-learners and collaborators with children - much more than just an instructor.

At the end of World War II, there was urging to bring change and create new schools for their young children.

In 1967 all the preschools were transferred to the city government thanks to a famous group at the time, the union of Italian women (also called the U.D.I.)

Work with children to help them achieve their goals.

CHILD CARE IN ONTARIO

Curriculum is built and based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community.

Teachers brainstorm as a team, and are true partners with children and their families in the educational process.

During World War II, the Dominion Provincial War Time Agreement shared 50% of the cost to support childcare programs for mothers who worked in industries.

Only Ontario and Quebec agreed to the federal cost sharing, but only a number of childcare centers opened in Ontario, with the majority in Toronto.

Co-construct the child’s knowledge and goals

SUMMARYCHILD CARE IN ITALY

Teacher nurtures the children’s play from ages 6 months to 6 years old.

Requires a 3 year course to teach children under the age of three as the basis.

Free of charge and full-time coverage for over 90% of children between the ages of 3 and 6 in 2006.

For children 3-6 years of age, child care centers are free and available to all children

Most child care centers for children under 3 years of age are nonprofit.

CHILD CARE IN ONTARIO

Teacher nurtures the children’s play from birth to 5 years old.

Varies from 2 semester programs to 3 or 4 year degree programs to take care of children.

Free public school service available to all children at age four and five for half-days or full-days.

For children under 3 years of age, daycare subsidies are available .

Most child care centers for children under 3 years old are nonprofit. Only a small percentage of child care centres are privately run businesses.

Ciao !

GOODBYE!

We thank you for your time!

BIBLIOGRAPHYGestwicki, Carol, and Jane Bertrand. Essentials of Early Childhood Education. 4th Canadian ed. Toronto: Thomson Nelson, 2012. Print.

New, Rebecca Staples, and MoncrieffCochran. Early Childhood Education: an International Encyclopedia. Westport, Conn., Praeger Publishers, 2007. Print.

Week 3 Power Point Class NotesCox: ECEP 104-062

Childcarepolicy.net/documents/WinnipegPaper.pdf

www.tariki.hu/en/research/childpoverty/case_studies/childpoverty_italy.pdf

www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/20218/1/dp983.pdf

www.toronto.ca/children/quality.htmcademia.edu/1488418/Early_Childcare_in_Italy_path_dependency_and_new_needs

http://www.poemhunter.com/quotations/famous.asp?people=Loris%20Malaguzzi

http://reggiochildrenfoundation.org/?page_id=605&lang=en

Slide 2 Photo: E. Brikman, March 16, 2013

Slide 16 Photo: Flickr via BeholdDSC_5521 (aka Italian Newspaper)By: Luc de Schepper, May 29, 2006

Slide 18 Photo: Flickr via Behold“Ah, Venezia” (aka Gondola)By: Shawnoula, March 25, 2005

Italian Numbers Song found on YouTube

Crossword created by S. Sukhoo