ECH10703 | APPROACHES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

MARCH 2024

ASSIGNMENT REPORT

LECTURER NAME: MS HAMIZAH

NAME ID MATRICS SIGNATURE MARKS

CRYSTAL LAMAH ANAK EGANITHA 2112023070079

ANGELINE ANABELL DAOH ANAK 2112023070086

LESSLY BALAN

AUDREY ASRI ANAK ALBERT RENE 2112023070098

CECELIA ANAK DUNOR 2112023070106

VANESSA ANAK BUSUK 2112023070081

VELLRONNA ANAK HARRY KUSAI 2112023070088

TABLE OF CONTENT
 CONTENT PAGES

1.0 INTRODUCTION 3

2.0 COMPARISON OF THE TWO CHILDCARE CENTER IN DETAILS 4

2.1 ITALY 4-5

2.2 MALAYSIA 6-7

3.0 CONCLUSION 8

4.0 REFERENCE 9

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A childcare is an educational establishment that provides early childhood education to

prepare children before they join a compulsory primary school. For many children, this will be
the first time that they are looked after for a long period of time without their parents.
 Every nursery is different, there are various nurseries that offer care to children from as
young as 6 weeks old, up to 5 years old. However, some only provide care for children who are
2 years old or over. In childcare, children learn many things in nursery, including beneficial life
skills that will prepare them for their future education. Kindergarten is an informal kind of school
for very young children, where they learn things by playing. Kindergarten signals a transitioning
year in the life of a young child at age 5-6. Kindergarten year is where they are further exposed
to more structured learning such as writing, reading, listening, speaking and so on.

At nursery and kindergarten, your child also will spend time singing songs, listening to
stories, sharing rhymes, and playing games to build their listening and speaking skills. Every
child who attends childcare is encouraged to learn how to listen, develop concentration, share
ideas and stories, and respond to questions and instructions. Nursery is the first official
education experience. Children at nursery can begin to gently socialize together, as well as
begin learning in a much more casual environment than school. It also helps children prepare
for the school routine and the curriculum at structured schools, enabling them not to be so
overwhelmed later.

Kindergarten is an informal kind of school for very young children, where they learn
things by playing. Kindergarten signals a transitioning year in the life of a young child at age 5-6.
Kindergarten year is where they are further exposed to more structured learning such as writing,
reading, listening, speaking and so on. Play-based learning is not out of the picture. Children
are still encouraged to explore topics they find interesting. In kindergarten, children will also be
placed into group work for the first-time circle time, small group projects and so on. These
activities train them further on how to communicate effectively, manage emotions and make
friends.

Kindergarten is more academically focused and aims to prepare children for the
transition to primary school. Here, children learn basic reading and math skills, as well as social
and emotional skills. Teachers may also introduce science, social studies, and other subjects.
Kindergarten often involves more formal instruction, with a structured curriculum and
assessments to track progress.

2.0 COMPARISON OF THE TWO CHILDCARE CENTER IN DETAILS

2.1 ITALY
 In Italy, nursery has been called “Asili Nido” and kindergarten is “Scuola dell’Infanzia”.
Typically, nursery schools cater to children aged 3 months to 3 years while kindergarten serves
children 3 to 6 years. Childcare in Italy is an important aspect of family and there are various
options available to parents based on their needs and preferences.

Childcare hours in Italy are available every weekday about 7.30AM to 6.00PM. But it is
not assumed parents send their kid for whole time. Childcare in Italy have offer for part time or
full time drop- off option. Part time package option from 8AM or 9AM and pickup time between
1PM and 1.30PM while full time is allowed between 4PM or 6PM. Childcare very put high
attention about pick- up and drop-off, as they try keep the kiddos on a good routine. Pickup and
drop off time for government and private childcare also at the same time. The Ministry of Public
Education have been regulating the childcare cater to children between 8AM and 5PM. In
addition, the kindergarten and nursery close during the holidays. For our information, mostly
children in Italy attend a nursery school even though it is not compulsory.

Government and private childcare in Italy have different term and learning methods,
facilities, cost and so on. Facilities in Italy, each with some pros and cons. Public daycare or
government are often a more economical choice, they are funded by the government and what
should pay depends on your household. This means in some cases they are free, and they are
accessible to a wide range of families. While private childcare may offer additional fees for
service and extra facilities that have been provided for kids. They might be more flexible with
individual families, and they might have smaller class sized. Average cost for private childcare in
Italy would spend 380 Euro per month which is total in MYR1947.91 after converted to
Malaysian Ringgit, include lunches and food included. There is a large range as we can see,
because the others state also offer private childcare at only 130 Euro (MYR666.42) per month
as state in website.

In terms of curriculum for both schools, the emphasis is learning through play, body and
movement, messages, speech, word, and space. Music, dance, art, craft, and nature will also
play formative roles in the program. All those kinds of activities help to develop their sensory
motor skills. The learning methods employed in these institutions emphasize a holistic
approach, recognizing the importance of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development
in young children. Common learning methods used in nursery school in Italy is play based
learning, sensorial activities, socialization skills, creative arts, language development, basic
math concepts, outdoors activities, routine and structure, parent involvement and lastly is
cultural and community awareness.

In Italy, all candidates must have minimum degree in Early Childhood Education or
related field from a recognized university or college. This could be bachelor's or master’s degree
in pedagogy, education science or similar programs with a focus on early children development.
Main language at Italy kindergarten must use local language which is Italian to make the
children easier to have conversation with peers and teachers. To all future teacher, they must
attend teacher training. This training provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge
about kindergarten and how teachers handle children plus children who need special needs.
Other than that, some institutions may prefer a candidate who has practical experience or has
taken care of young children in educational or childcare settings.

Kindergarten holidays typically follow the national holiday calendar but there may also be
additional days off specific to each kindergarten or region. The common holiday in Italy such as
National Holidays, Regional and Local Holidays, school breaks, and for the last one maybe
happen in Italy only which is Teacher Training Days. The kindergarten has occasional days off
for teachers training, professional development pr planning sessions. Also, this day usually took
parents time and having communication with parents. There may be similarities between public
and private kindergarten holidays calendar in Italy.

2.2 MALAYSIA
 In Malaysia, kindergarten is a non-formal and flexible program for young children aged 4
to 5 years old. The program runs for a duration of one to two years depending on parents’
requirement. These centres are mostly privately run and cater for children from high and middle-
income families. Taska stands for “Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak” which essentially means a
childcare centre or nursery. They cater to children from birth to four years old. On the other
hand, Tadika is an abbreviation for “Taman Didikan Kanak-Kanak”. In English translation, known
as kindergarten. Government schools are run and supported by the local, state or federal
government, whereas private schools are run and funded by a private group.

School time at Malaysia just same whether are government or private kindergarten, they
have the same drop off and pick up time. But it's different for private kindergartens because they
are still open until the evening. That’s a reason why they have served lunch and tea time for
kids. Only for certain kids who still not back home yet or their parents late pick them from the
schools.

Cost private school in Malaysia can reach around RM10,000 per head. But it depends
on kindergarten fees because they have different facilities in the kindergarten. Also, they had
different missions and vision kindergarten. Even the learning method they have different
standard learning methods based on the rules. Such as some schools using the Montessori
Education in their kindergarten. But some of them had created their own mission and vision.
Different with government childcare, it’s started from RM80 per head. All the facilities have been
provided by the government. And there are no hidden fees.

The education system in Malaysia is divided into five stages: preschool education,
primary education, secondary education, post-secondary education, and tertiary education. It is
further divided into national and private education. The four core learning styles in the VARK
model include visual, auditory, reading and writing, and using this categorization, a visual
learner is thought to learn material more effectively when it's presented via pictures, charts, or
diagrams, rather than lectures or discussions as for auditory learners, or body movement and
object manipulation for kinesthetic learners. Every private kindergarten has its own unique style
of teaching unless the public kindergarten, they must follow the standard learning methods
which has been set by the Ministry of education. Examples of books used like KSPK and
PERMATA.
 Educational qualifications in Malaysia got very different with Italy no matter its
government or private kindergarten because, the kindergarten teachers are required to have at
least diploma in Early Childhood Education or related field. For the teacher training, usually
need specific teacher training programs that focus on early childhood education methodologies,
child development and classroom management. In Malaysia, language proficiency used such as
Malay, English and Mandarin may be required at private school only while government
kindergarten only using Malay and English in their daily class.

Malaysia is a multi- ethnic country so for sure they have many holidays for year but also
another state has an additional holiday at their state and all it depends on their state.
 3.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we more prefer or suggest Italy program, because every preschool

includes some Montessori and Reggio Emilia elements. Italian preschools are play based,
children learn by doing in an informal setting in which communication and verbal exchange is
encouraged. The focus is on social skills and emotional development to develop the whole child.

The teachers set the environment for the children to be protagonists of their own
learning, to build their own meanings, to discover from experience. In our preschool we try to
combine the children’s interests and the best Italian educational approaches to teach our kids
the language and help them become the best versions of themselves. Our school is more than a
language class, as our teachers help the children grow fully in all aspects while also learning
about Italian language and culture. They will learn the new language mainly by music and play,
but even the games will be prepared and guided by the teachers based on the language goals
they are pursuing at that moment. The kids will be encouraged to express themselves in the
language they feel more comfortable using, moving gradually from English to Italian, but never
being forced to speak when they do not feel to. Children will learn about Italian traditions, as
teachers do in Italy.

Our goal is to help the whole child become a citizen of the world, and we do so by
immersing them in a foreign language, but also by giving them the mental instruments to realize
from an early age that the world is wider than we know. Italian preschools often prioritize
creativity and hands-on learning, fostering a child's imagination and artistic abilities. Italy has a
strong reputation for its education system, with many preschools offering high-quality programs
and experienced educators. Overall, choosing Italy for preschool can provide a culturally
enriching and academically stimulating environment for young children to thrive in.
 4.0 REFERENCE

1. https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/italy/early-
childhood-education-and-care

2. https://www.expat.com/en/guide/europe/italy/17658-childcare-and-family-
activities-in-italy.html

3. https://collineallemontagne.com/childcare-in-italy/

4. https://www.preschoolmalaysia.com/malaysia-kindergarten.html

5. https://youtu.be/xu0hE9JbLaA?si=iK8CqVicbeim1Dm7 ( presentation }