History of Preschool in Timeline

Preschools, also known as nursery schools or play schools, are educational institutions providing early childhood education to children aged 2-6 before they enter primary school. These establishments can be either publicly or privately operated, with some receiving public funding. Preschools offer a learning environment designed to prepare young children for formal education.

1916: Cooperative Preschools

Starting formally in 1916, cooperative preschools became common in America, focusing on providing a preschool environment for children and parents in line with cooperative ideals.

1964: Head Start Started by the Federal Government

In 1964, Head Start was started by the Federal Government to help meet the needs of under-privilleged pre-school children.

1965: Head Start Created

In 1965, President Johnson created Head Start, the first publicly funded preschool program in the US, aimed at low-income families. At the time, only 10% of children were enrolled in preschool.

1965: Launch of Project Head Start

In 1965, the Office of Economic Opportunity launched Project Head Start as an eight-week summer program.

1969: Transfer of Head Start to the Office of Child Development

In 1969, Head Start was transferred to the Office of Child Development in the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

1975: Enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

In 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Public Law 101–476 was enacted, marking a shift towards inclusion in special education.

1990: Dramatic Change in Kindergarten Education

It has been found that China's kindergarten education has dramatically changed since 1990.

1991: Law on Education

According to the Law on Education (article 6, 1991), pre-school education is a part of non-formal education.

1997: Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

In 1997, amendments PL 102-119 and PL 105–17 to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) furthered the movement towards inclusion in special education.

2001: The Guidance for Kindergarten Education (Trial Version)

In 2001, the Chinese government implemented policies in the form of The Guidance for Kindergarten Education (Trial Version), reflecting their growing interest in early childhood education.

2003: Liu, et al. on Children's Role Play

In 2003, Liu, et al., supported the co-construction of teaching knowledge related to children's initiation/subjectivity in role play.

2005: Statutory Duty for Local Education Authorities in Wales

Since 2005, it has been a statutory duty for all Local Education Authorities in Wales to secure sufficient nursery education in their area for children from the term following their third birthday.

2007: Gu Focus on New Early Childhood Teachers

In 2007, Gu focused on the professional development issues of new early childhood teachers and offered feasible suggestions for handling key events in their everyday teaching practices.

2008: Rollout of 'Foundation Phase' in Wales

From 2008, a new 'Foundation Phase' covering 3- to 7-year-olds is being rolled out across Wales, focusing on 'learning through play' across seven areas of learning.

2008: Zhu and Zhang Study

In 2008, Zhu and Zhang demonstrated the historical development of Chinese early childhood education indicating three distinct cultural threads.

2009: Tobin, et al. Studies Across Three Cultures

In 2009, Tobin, et al., conducted a study across three cultures, highlighting the continuity and change within early childhood education systems.

2010: Ireland's Free Preschool Law

In 2010, Ireland passed a law providing free preschool for all children aged 3 years and 2 months to less than 4 years and 7 months, leading to a significant increase in preschool enrollment.

2010: The National Education Reform and Development of Long-Term planning Programs

In 2010, the Chinese government implemented policies in the form of The National Education Reform and Development of Long-Term planning Programs (2010–2020), reflecting their growing interest in early childhood education.

2010: Zhongguo Xueqian Jiaoyu Fazhan Zhanlue Yanjiu Ketizu Project Report

In 2010, the project report Zhongguo Xueqian Jiaoyu Fazhan Zhanlue Yanjiu Ketizu reflected upon the development of China's early childhood education and assessed its current state.

2012: Lau Study

In 2012, Lau demonstrated the historical development of Chinese early childhood education indicating three distinct cultural threads.

2012: Introduction of Mother Tongue Languages

In the 2012–2013 school year, twelve original mother tongue languages were introduced for the curriculum's effectivity.

2013: Addition of Mother Tongue Languages

During the 2013–2014 school year, seven more mother tongue languages were added: Aklanon, Ibanag, Ivatan, Kinaray-a, Sambal, Surigaonon and Yakan.

2014: Addition of Mother Tongue Languages

During the 2013–2014 school year, seven more mother tongue languages were added: Aklanon, Ibanag, Ivatan, Kinaray-a, Sambal, Surigaonon and Yakan.

April 2016: Amendment to the Law on Education

In April 2016, an amendment to the Law on Education reaffirmed that pre-school education is a part of non-formal education.

2020: The National Education Reform and Development of Long-Term planning Programs

2020: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

In 2020, India's National Education Policy (NEP) placed significant importance on early childhood care and education, advocating for formal intervention in the foundational stage (3 to 8 years) and replacing the traditional 10 + 2 schooling system with a 5+3+3+4 system.