Introduction

A section of the Importance of Pre-school education states:

“Two children using a plastic cup to fill a bucket with water may be involved in counting how many cups are required to fill the bucket, in discussing the results with each other and in agreeing to take turns. They may therefore be developing mathematical, language and social learning.” (www.itscotland.org)

The interaction found within a nursery may help develop a child’s social skills as well as their intellectual growth in certain subjects such as English and Mathematics. Classroom based activities that are carried out in nurseries are part of the Birth to Three Matters Curriculum that is essential across day centres in England. No matter the age group that a child enters the establishment, there are specific performances that need to be carried out by the caregiver, with the notion that the child’s skills in certain academic areas will be enhanced and prepare them for entering The National Curriculum at the age of five. Early Learning Goals of the foundation stage of education fro children from three to five years has been set out by the Government. It states what most children should be able to do by the end of end of school reception year.

Children that are kept at home however do not seemingly have this advantage of structured activities or the interaction with many other infants. Therefore, their intellectual development could not be as well advanced as those who have been placed into nurseries at a younger age. It suggests doubt that they will not be prepared with the social skills and academic learning when they reach the age to enter reception year.

Yet all children develop at different stages and depending on the child will determine the rate in which the child progresses and which method of learning is most suitable to them. If the nurseries are over prescribed with children, this may mean that children who are shy and quiet may be over-shadowed by others in the group and therefore will be at a disadvantage as they will not receive as much attention. This ultimately is causing the caregiver to overlook the child and as a result affecting the child for later life. Likewise many children will experience some kind of special educational needs during their time in education. Nurseries and schools can help most children overcome the barriers their difficulties present quickly and easily. Yet, some children will need extra help and attention. This may not be given if there are not enough caregivers for the children, which is often the case.

Whilst being at home, the child is given much attention and is not separated from their mother, which can also play a role in the child’s development. With the mother being around the child does not feel a sense of loss or their primary caregiver is abandoning them. The attachment between a mother and a child is significant in the child’s growth. If at any time the infant feels deserted or left with a stranger, this could have a negative effect within the child and consequently hinder the child’s social and intellectual learning. It is these factors and on-going issues that provide the foundation of my study.

Whether a child should be placed into nursery at a young age or at all is a continuous debate that is constantly talked about in the media, the Government and most importantly amongst parents. There is much to be said about both opposing sides and each contain advantages and disadvantages.
This study will investigate the ………..(working title)………….. by observing the behaviour and the answers given by two children of the same age, yet one was placed in nursery at a young age whilst the other was kept at home. The study will follow a replica of the ‘Strange Situation’ that has been carried out by theorists in the past and although will not be providing a definite right or wrong answer to whether children should attend nursery or not, it will add to the on-going debate and will allow for further research and study in the future. The study has been conducted through participant observation with the data being collected through a combination of observational video and digital recordings as well as the use of observational field notes. Mini tests relating to mathematic and language learning were also conducted on the children in order to assess their intellectual development. To support my own understanding of the reasoning why parents may decide to place their children into nursery or not, I carried out informal interviews, which allowed parents to express their ideology and reasoning for their decisions. This study aims to provide the reader with an insight into the differences and similarities of children that have been placed in different learning environments. It also looks at the issues that surround working and interacting with children of a very young age.