An even better start? : parent conceptions of the preparatory year in a non-government school in Queensland

摘要: The introduction of a universal, full-time Preparatory Year in all Queensland schools from 2007 is significant reform early childhood education and care (ECEC) that state. Rapidly increasing enrolment children programs non-government has been feature the context over past decade. These trends, along with efforts towards consistency services universal school starting ages across Australian states territories have prompted this important to Queensland. Constructions role parents as consumers and/or partners their children's suggest consideration parent views both timely strategic. This thesis reports findings research project investigating conceptions outer urban used phenomenographic approach elicit describe qualitatively different ways which group 26 viewed Year. Analysis revealed range demonstrated varying emphasis on needs, child needs preparation for future success beyond. study led construction five categories description outlining understanding was relation (1) current parents, (2) child, (3) One, (4) providing an advantage primary school, (5) beyond school. were linked differentiated each other by two central themes, or dimensions variation: beneficiary dimension either seen benefit program, temporal program meeting preparing future. results variation exists may conceptualise phenomenon data further suggests tensions exist around whether ought emphasise meet children; those should child. opens up possibility tensions, potential preferences formal interpretation curriculum being at odds new play-based Early Years Curriculum Guidelines. Results more attention be given engaging eliciting experienced children. Moreover, it provides might generated, analysed incorporated into policy developments reforms.