Chapter 2 Types of Early Childhood Programs 55
Wisconsin, in 1856. It was held in
the home of Margerenthia Schurz.
This mother and teacher had studied
under Froebel. Mrs. Schurz fi rst fi
opened the kindergarten for her own
children and four of their cousins.
Today, kindergartens are part
of most public and many private
school systems. They are usually
restricted to children who are at
least four years old.
Schedules
There are three basic scheduling
patterns in kindergarten: half-day,
full-day, and full-day/alternating
day sessions. The half-day session
usually runs from two and one-half
to three and one-half hours per day.
Full-day sessions run from six to eight
hours per day. Full-day/alternating
day programs vary. Some programs
meet every other day. Others require
children to attend on Tuesday and
Thursday the first week, and on fi
Monday and Friday the next week.
Other alternating programs have
children attend two full days and
one-half day. To illustrate, one group
may attend all day on Monday and
Wednesday, plus on Friday morning.
The other group might attend all day
on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as
Friday afternoon. For some children,
these alternating schedules may be
confusing. Studies show that children
thrive on predictable schedules.
Goals
Goals for a kindergarten
program permit variety. Basic
objectives of most kindergarten
programs include
★ respect for the contributions,
property, and rights of other
children
★ development of positive
feelings about school
★ development of a positive
self-concept
★ growth in language, social,
physical, and creative skills
★ achievement of problem-solving
and cognitive skills
★ development of independence,
shown by working alone on a
task or developing self-help skills
★ development of interpersonal
skills
★ appreciation of objects of beauty
Similar to preschools, most
kindergartens emphasize the
growth of the whole child.
Focus on Health
Conductin Dail Health Checks Conducting Daily Health Checks
As children arrive at the early childhood
f fa ilit ci li ty , a t tr ined ai d t st ff af f me ber mb sh ho ld ul d co duct nd t a
daily health check. This helps reduce transmission
of communicable disease. Through observation,
talking with parents or legal guardians, and
possibly talking with children, the staff member
will look for changes in behavior or appearance
from fr om t t he he p p re re ious vi ou s day da y that th at i i ndicate nd ic at e illness il ln es s or or
injuries of children or family members. Since the
date of last attendance, a staff member will look
for such signs of illness as eye drainage, vomiting,
diarrhea, skin rashes, itchy skin or scalp, or nits
(with a lice outbreak) and will check for elevated
body temperature if symptoms warrant it.
If a child becomes sick during the day,
a facility must provide a separate place for
the child to rest in comfort with
supervision. Parents or guardians
should be called and asked to take
the child home. Written records
about daily health checks are a
requirement for all facilities.