More than half of Spanish parents do not know the mandatory age of schooling
Being a father supposes acquiring a series of knowledge, not only related to the care of children. Having a child means mastering many aspects, such as schooling ages. Do the parents know at what age they should register their children in the school in a mandatory way? According to the data offered by the World Association of Early Childhood Educators, AMEI-WAECE, do not.
The survey conducted by this organization reveals that Spanish parents confuse the age from which they can enroll their children in schools and the one in which it is obligatory to carry it out. Some data that are related to the upward trend in the enrollment of nursery schools.
At what age is it mandatory?
To know the knowledge of parents about schooling, AMEI-WAECE made a total of 300 surveys to different parents. In this questionnaire appeared questions like "Do you know the age at which education is mandatory?". Only 25% of the participants answered correctly, while 60% indicated a much earlier age for this matter.
In Spain, compulsory schooling is at 6 years old. On the other hand, 60% of the participating parents answered that it is from 36 months. These data are related to the upward trend in the enrollment of nursery schools, a sign of this is another of the questions that appeared in this survey: "At what age will the baby take the one who attends school?".
80% of parents indicated that the first time their children go to an educational center will be at three years. Among the type of school preferences, the concerted ones are the best valued, since 45% of the parents indicated it as the ideal to take the children, followed by the public, 38%, and the private, 5% of the participants . Finally, 12% say they have not made the decision.
Children's schools
From AMEI-WAECE they emphasize that although the schooling at these ages In early childhood centers has benefits, the fact that it is voluntary has at the same time some disadvantages. Many non-certified centers teach these classes and take care of many children without meeting the required standards.
This organism indicates that many of these centers accumulate more children than they can actually care for and these "teachers"They do not meet the necessary requirements for these activities, something that has a direct impact on the youngest children, since they lack any guarantee and are potentially dangerous for the physical safety and maturational development of the child.
However, the decision of a nursery school is a good option as indicated by this association, which highlights the following advantage of this enrollment:
- The first years of the child's life, from birth to the years have to be supported by a foundation for a healthy and harmonious growth of the child. Certified children's schools can help.
- Intellectual or physical deficits become cumulative. Children's schools can help in the early identification and treatment of problems related to physical and mental disabilities, etc., thus providing the child with better opportunities in life.
- Early childhood education complements the home by providing adequate assistance and education for the promotion of the child's total development. It must be a point of formation not only of the child, but of the family.
- Early childhood education provides valuable experience and preparation for the transition to schooling at higher levels.
Damián Montero
