EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE PROGRAM DECISION-MAKING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PROGRAM CHOICES AND SELECTION MECHANISMS

Authors

  • Konstantina Rentzou Assistant Professor, Department of Early Years Learning and Care, University of Ioannina, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i3.4714

Keywords:

parental choice, parental preferences, accommodations, program decisions, early childhood education and care

Abstract

Understanding parental ECEC choices and selection mechanisms receives increased attention at the research and policy level as ECEC decision-making has important implications both for policy development and program design. The present study aimed at exploring the processes and mechanisms adopted by parents in Cyprus and in the Netherlands while deciding on and selecting an ECEC program for their child. Research results revealed that participants have opted to enroll their child for professional, socialization, learning and development reasons. Social networks and the internet were the primary sources of information about available programs. Turning to the criteria that matter most, instructional and structural characteristics received higher ratings. Most of the aspects of the decision-making process have been affected by whether parents were natives or immigrants. Results highlight that the decision-making process is a complex phenomenon and that parents need to tradeoff intrinsic or extrinsic characteristics while selecting an ECEC program.

 

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Author Biography

  • Konstantina Rentzou, Assistant Professor, Department of Early Years Learning and Care, University of Ioannina, Greece

    Dr. Konstantina Rentzou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Years Learning and Care, University of Ioannina. Dr. Rentzou has taught for more than 15 years in Greek and Cypriot Universities and post-secondary educational institutions. She has participated in national research programs and programs funded by the European Commission. She has also worked as a manager, expert and rapporteur in various international organizations and for the European Union. Dr. Rentzou has published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and three books.

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Published

2023-03-09

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Articles

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