The daily routine in Slovene preschools

In Slovenia there is a unitary system of early education for all preschool agedchildren. Since the vast majority of children attend full-day programs, thedaily routine represents a significant part of life for children in... [ view full abstract ]

In Slovenia there is a unitary system of early education for all preschool agedchildren. Since the vast majority of children attend full-day programs, thedaily routine represents a significant part of life for children in preschool. Accordingto many authors, the daily routine in preschool is strongly connected withhidden curriculum. In the routine activities, the hidden curriculum can fullybe exercised, especially if they are not reflected by professionals. Theorganization of life - the daily schedule, meals, rest and sleeping time aretypical activities in which the children usually do not have any choice.

Whensystemic and curricular reform of preschools was introduced at the end of the20^th century, lot of attention was paid to changing the previouslyrigid and non-individualized daily routine. In this study, we researched whether and in what manner the daily routinechanged after the introduction of the new national curriculum. We focused on theorganization of rest and sleep and onhow the educational workers act at meals. We found out that at eating about a third of professionalworkers use problematic practices. The biggest problem of the daily routineremains sleeping, which is practised in less than a tenth of classes from thesample in such a way that only those in need are put to sleep. In one tenth ofclasses, sleepless children should remain in their beds throughout the restperiod, which is completely contrary to the Curriculum for Preschools (1999)and constitutes a serious violation of children's rights.

In our further research we should critically analyse subjective theories of
professionals and search for the possibilities to change them and the practices
when they are not suitable. Through the action and evaluation research, we
should examine the children’s views and suggestions about their life in
preschool.