Project Abstract
The aim of this research study is to examine the experiences for the under-three-year olds who are attending the kindergarten service. Historically, kindergartens have provided early childhood environments for over three-year-olds. The fall of waiting lists and a drop in enrolments has meant that many kindergartens now have a significant number of under-three-year-olds in their centres. This, therefore, impacts on the experiences for all the children attending, but particularly for the very young child in an environment and setting which has often been structured for the older age child and in a large group setting. This study will be examining and working alongside kindergarten teachers (with their associations), and parents of case study children, to both capture the current experiences of the children at the centre from as many perspectives as possible, and to look at supporting the best practices possible for the two-year-olds both currently in programmes and those who have yet to begin.