Mobile crèches: a way of reaching children of poverty

Author: Isikoglu Nesrin   Ivrendi Asiye  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1469-5847

Source: Educational Research, Vol.49, Iss.3, 2007-09, pp. : 225-242

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Abstract

Background Early intervention programmes can minimize the negative impacts of poverty on children's development and learning. The success of these programmes relies on considering several interrelated components, including, but not limited to, working with parents as partners, using a holistic approach in educating children and supporting children's immediate environment and their mothers and fathers. Purpose This study aimed to provide an in-depth description of mobile crèches in Denizli, Turkey, focusing on providing the perceptions of key stakeholders involved in the mobile crèche, including administrators, teachers, parents and children. Programme description Mobile crèches were established by the Ministry of National Education of Turkey (MONE), municipalities and universities to provide early childhood education (ECE) services to children in poverty. Launched in 2004, the mobile crèches were considered as an alternative programme to centre-based ECE. The most notable characteristic of the mobile crèches is that the buses are used as ECE classrooms. Sample The participants of this study were representative of the key stakeholders involved with two mobile crèches, including: an administrator, eight teachers, four parents, and 20 children. All stakeholders who volunteered to participate were involved in the study. A total of 33 participants were interviewed. Design and methods This is a qualitative case study of two mobile crèches in Denizli, Turkey. Data were generated through in-depth interviews with the administrator, teachers, children, and parents in the mobile crèches. The interviews lasted between 30 minutes and one and a half hours. Data were analysed using content analysis techniques. Two researchers independently analysed the data and negotiated the emerging themes, representative excerpts and agreed upon the categories within these themes. Results This research revealed three emerging themes: (1) the promising effects of the mobile crèches, (2) the challenges of the mobile crèches and (3) the support systems of the mobile crèches. The first theme discussed the impacts of mobile crèches on the development and learning of the children and the perceptions of other stakeholders. The second theme dealt with the challenges of the mobile crèches. The final theme identified systems of support to overcome these challenges. Conclusions The findings revealed that participants viewed the mobile crèches as an essential advantage for children in poverty. Mobile crèches were perceived as an agent to advance the development and school readiness of the children. Perhaps, with improvements in curriculum and community services, mobile crèches can be a way to reach disadvantaged children in developing countries.