Early child education in the opinions of caregivers of Poznan crèches – research report

Abstract

The aim of the study is to show the perception of early childhood education on the part of caregivers working in crèches in Poznan and taking care of children up to three years of age. Defining the concept of early childhood education, the author emphasizes that education of a child up to the age of three is fundamental and developmental in the sense that it is determined by the developmental potential of a child. It should be non-directive and based on continuous observation and diagnosis of child development. Early education means organizing task-oriented situations in accordance with the nearest development zone and closely accompanying the child in the development. The results of the study conducted by the author and presented in this text reveal a number of difficulties in terms of perception of early childhood education on the part of caregivers of children up to three years old. Nevertheless, they allow to draw a conclusion that the caregivers are aware of the fact that the scope of influencing children under three years of age should also include ways of educational impact.