ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We especially thank to our instructor Dr. Hayal KÖKSAL. 

Observed schools are also listed here and we also thank them for letting us.

Orgeneral Kamil ve Saadet Güzey İlkokulu
Türkan Şoray İlköğretim Okulu
İsmail Tarhan İlköğretim Okulu
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yuvası
Pinokyo Açı Anaokulu
Şarkikaraağaç Merkez Anaokulu
Çiçekpınar Kasabası Anaokulu

RESULTS AND SUGGESTIONS

According to our observation and research, we used certain tools of quality. Here our fishbone and matrix diagram;

Our question is "Why are the preschools in Turkey in a bad physical condition?". And we indicated the major three problems arised from institution, government and human. 

We vote each dimension and government is voted mostly as the main cause of our problem. 

As a result...

As we have seen, although public schools have certain materials and facilities, they cannot compete with private schools. 

Because;

Lack of interest of government toward preschools is seen as a major source of problem on early childhood education.

-Lack of inspection
-Lack of financial support

SUGGESTIONS

We conclude that government should pay a great deal of attention on early childhood education and preschools.

Government should increase the number of inspections and also they should be effective and widespread. 

On the other hand, teachers should optimize materials and facilities they have.

Parents should be aware of features of education their children receive.

Also society should be informed about the significance of early childhood education and necessity of it for the progress and continuum of the society itself.

OBSERVING SCHOOLS

Before we went to the schools, we arranged appointments for our observation. Even though some schools didn't reply our mails, we didn't give up and found new solutions. So we went certain schools which we could get appointment and receive information from teachers and other staff. Also we took photographs to the extent permitted by school administration and teachers. Although we could take photos in public schools, we weren't allowed in private ones unfortunately. 

Here some information and photos we gather from our observations.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Public schools have children from at the age of 4-6. There are approximately 18-20 children in one class and there is one teacher per classroom.

Although  there are proper materials in terms of quality, they are not enough in terms of quantity. Also they don't have adequate quality of outdoor facilitesThere are kitchens for breakfast and lunch, also staff for cleaning and preparing food. Toilets are appropriate sized and separated for boys and girls. Here some photos from public schools;

As you can see, they are not wide range of materials in public schools but creative and various things can be done with the effect of teachers.

SEMI-PRIVATE SCHOOLS

We observed the Boğaziçi Yuva as semi-private preschool. There are 1-6 aged children and approximately 10-15 children in one classroom. There are one teacher and 2-3 assistants per each class.

We see that there are more materials and extended areas for activities than public schools.  

There are different rooms and classrooms for different activities including sleeping and musical issues.

Toilets and sinks are appropriate sized but not separated for girls and boys.

Playground is available for children and also there are wooden materials in the garden too.

Here some photos from Boğaziçi Yuva;

Materials used in classrooms are wooden and we appreciate it for the health of children. :)

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

In private schools, there are children from 2-6 ages old and 10-15 children in each classroom. Contrary to public schools, there are teachers from different branches for different lessons. There are wide range of materials and activity areas.

Moreover, there is bilingual education which is today's most recommended teaching style for foreign language. 

Playground has various stable materials and they are used efficiently. Especially on sunny days, children have a chance to go outside for their breakfast and activities. Also each child has a plant in garden and so they can learn by experience. 

Toilets are appropriate sized but not separated for boys and girls. 

Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photo but we take some from websites of the schools.

We notice and glad to see that there are sinks in every classroom for both during activity time and hygiene for after it. Also we appreciate that there is high security in both entrance and classrooms.

RESEARCH

At the very beginning, we did some research about physical conditions in preschools. We see that many research about this topic has been conducted since 1970s. Although we didn't find adequate and efficient writing about preschools in Turkey, here some pieces of articles we found valuable;

The quality of children’s experiences within preschool programs may play an important role in their development of academic, language, literacy and socialemotional competencies that help prepare them to enter school ready to learn (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1986).

Higher quality preschool was found to have a stronger positive association with developmental outcomes among subgroups that are considered to experience greater risks for developmental delays (Baydar & Brooks-Gunn, 1991; Bryant, Burchinal, Lau, & Sparling, 1994; Bryant, PeisnerFeinberg, & Clifford, 1993; Burchinal, Ramey, Reid, & Jaccard, 1995; Caughey et al., 1994; Hagekull & Bohlin, 1995; Peisner-Feinberg & Burchinal, 1997).

Children’s gross motor development is paid little attention, while other areas such as spiritual, moral, and ethical development are given none (Moss, 1994).

ABOUT PROJECT 

Our project topic is " Physical Conditions in Preschools".

We decided to choose this topic because it sounds interest to search and find some solutions about these common problems which can be seen at almost every preschool.

After we determined our project topic, group name and the motto; we made a plan of what we are going to do. 

Although there were some delays, we paid great attention to actualize our plan punctually. Especially observing schools did not fall behind the plan because we had to arrange appointment.

WHO ARE WE?

Hi everyone. We are Ladders for Better! 

We came together for our Introduction to Education course which is instructed by Dr. Hayal Köksal.

We are three freshmen students at Boğaziçi University. Our department is Preschool Education. 

From left to right;

Leman İŞBİTİREN - Research Manager

Büşra YAZICIOĞLU - Leader of the Team

Ayşe Hilâl AVCI - Technical Support

Our motto is "Careful.. Children Are Growing Here!"