Purpose
The purpose of the study is to assess the quality of the educational learning environment in kindergartens for children aged 1-3 years in Hjørring Municipality. Among other things, the educational learning environment includes the interaction and relationships with staff and the other children, play, educational activities and everyday routines, as well as the physical surroundings.
Result
The result indicates that the quality of the educational learning environment in the kindergartens in Hjørring is generally good. On a scale from 1–7 (Likert scale), the kindergartens received a total score of 4.18. The kindergartens scored highest on the ‘interaction’ variable (5.68). They also scored well on the ‘language’, ‘books’ and ‘organisational structure’ variables, while ‘space and layout’, ‘routines’, and ‘learning activities’ received a lower score. Compared to previous ITERS measurements (2019), there has been a marked increase in the quality of the educational learning environment in the kindergartens. The researchers emphasise that the data in the study should be viewed as a snapshot in time.
Design
The data were collected through systematic observations in 19 municipal kindergartens in Hjørring Municipality. Each kindergarten involved one of their departments. A total of 230 children were present during the observations. Eight of the children had physical disabilities. The methodological tools used to measure the quality of the educational learning environments in the kindergartens were ECERS-3 (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) and ITERS-3 (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale). Among other things, the researchers looked at what materials the children played with and had at their disposal, as well as how the educational staff used the available materials with the children. The researchers also looked at how the educational staff spoke to the children, and they looked at how the educators contributed to well-being and learning through their presence and conversations.
References
Næsby, T., Medom, C., Agerbæk, E., & Drevsholt, K. M. (2022). Kvalitetsmåling med ITERS-3 i Hjørring Kommune 2021.