Mix- or same-age kindergarten groups? Pedagogical questions and the dilemmas of parental decision making

Abstract

One of the unique features of Hungarian public education is that kindergarten attendance is compulsory from the age of three. National statistical data evidence a growing number of mixed-age kindergarten groups (HU Central Statistical Office, 2017). Although parents have the opportunity to choose between same -and mixed-age groups for their children, it is less clear what factors determine which type of group organisation parents opt for (Török, 2004). A case study (Yin, 2018) design was employed to examine the factors influencing parental choice along with parents’ views on their chosen group organisation in one Hungarian county town. This study is a second-phase analysis of findings from Teszenyi and Hevey’s research conducted in 2015. Their research used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection through a survey (n=251) and interviews (n=9) with parents across 12 kindergartens. In this study we are providing a more in-depth analysis of the 9 parental interviews and the 72 qualitative comments from the survey questionnaires. Findings suggest that the most important factors determining parental choice are the geographical location of the kindergarten and the pedagogues themselves. Although parents appear to be satisfied with their choice of either types of group organisation, findings from the qualitative comments point to a greater degree of conviction about the suitability of mixed-age groups for their children because of their family like characteristics. Worries about preparation for school also features in the findings. In our discussion and conclusion, we pose questions and draw attention to the pedagogical issues that appear to be behind this preference for mixed-age groups. We acknowledge the need for further empirical investigation, and we identify new directions for future research.