A handbook on preparation time in nurseries
A handbook offering ideas on how nursery teachers can best use their preparation time has been published. The book is a collaborative project between the City of Hafnarfjörður, Reykjavík and RannUng. Nursery teachers have ten hours a week to enhance the work in their schools.
A handbook of ideas for the preparation
Nursery school teachers are generally happy with the preparation time in their job, which was increased in 2019. Full-time nursery unit leaders now have 10 hours a week, which gives them the opportunity to manage tasks more effectively. This is set out in a handbook that provides ideas on how best to use nursery teachers' preparation time.
„However, there are certain difficulties associated with the lack of facilities for working in peace and quiet,“ it says in reflections on the preparation time in a concept book produced by Hafnarfjörður, Reykjavík and RannUng – the Research Centre for Early Childhood Education, which is based at the University of Iceland.
Representatives of the nurseries of Hafnarfjörður and Reykjavík, and staff from RannUng, are together in the picture.
Harvest Festival at Hafnarborg
The launch of the concept book was held at Hafnarborg last week. The report sets out proposals on how to use the time to enhance the professionalism of nursery teachers and the quality of nursery practice. It is based on the experience of unit managers in nine nurseries.
The reflections state that it is crucial that nursery school teachers enjoy the respect and trust to manage their preparation time. „This includes having the freedom to decide what they do during preparation and where it takes place, but at the same time, it is important to maintain transparency among staff.“ Managers need to be aware that teachers are using their preparation time effectively, and they must also have the authority to provide guidance if teachers are struggling to make use of the time.
All for the children's benefit
Emphasis is placed on ensuring that preparations are in the best interests of the children. „Preparations should never be at the expense of the children's well-being. If staff shortages on a ward mean that preparations have a negative impact on the children, the preparations must be cancelled or another solution must be found. The children's well-being and best interests must always be the priority,“ states the ideas book. As the report concludes: „It is important that the planning for preparation is flexible yet clear, with the children's best interests at its core.“