Early childhood, is it just a substantial provider of care for children, or has it revolutionised for highly sought educational purpose? If so, how has it revolutionised over the years into educational purposes? The historical relationship between childhood and education is said to provide a means for enhancing the potential of our future generation from the earliest possible age. (Iris Duhn,2009). History advises that New Zealand 's shifting political, social and cultural stance, is the influential power that evoked the movement of childcare to education.
This Essay provides a historical overview of some of the political, social and cultural issues that influenced the evolution of early childhood care, to education in New Zealand. …show more content…
It is safe to say that Wartime was not a period of educational stagnation, (Ministry for Culture and heritage, 2012), but one of great influence and motive into the evolution or childhood care to education. Wartime did not only innovate early childhood, but revolutionised the purpose of such education. During World War 2 in the 1939-1945 many women found themselves in financial struggles to make provide for their families, whilst men, and husband were out in battle. Mothers of family homes undertook paid work, usually done by men, resulting in the need for child services. (Pollock, 2012) The increasing number of women in the workforce meant that as many children were left to their roaming the streets in the late afternoon. (MFCH, 2012). Childcare and education soon became a household agenda for the government. At this point kindergartens that were running two daily sessions needed to extend to one full-day session, so government provided funds of which were restrained due to primary education and labor salary …show more content…
By 1941 more families sought interest in early childhood education, and Government assistance for both Playcentres and Kindergartens in 1947, foresaw an expansion of pre-school education in New Zealand (Ministry for Culture and heritage, 2012). By post world war,New Zealand saw an economic and baby boom,which led to the expansion of Playcentres in new communities which officially established in 1948.(ECE Services in NZ, 2011). In 1950, it was identified that the enrollment of children at Kindergartens and playcentres increased considerably. (Lockhart, P,1975) Soon, early childhood perception shifted to the view that preschool education could benefit children prior to school- Thus the evolution of care to