Hanafi, Zahyah and Ismail, Siti Noor (2015) Quality improvements in preschool: from research to practice. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 9 (3). pp. 1-6. ISSN 1991-8178

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Abstract

Background: This paper is part of a larger study with a focus on management within a preschool.The principal was interviewed and three teachers at the preschool responded to a questionnaire, using a case study methodology.There have been few studies in Malaysia that examined the management aspects of principal’s work especially in preschool.The study adopted the Social Systems Model to support the notion that preschools cannot strive on its own without sharing and exchanging information between the principal and the teachers.The Australia Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS) was used in gauging the level of quality practices at the school. Objective: The aim of this study was to gauge the level of seven quality practices in a preschool. In addition it attempts to uncover the principal’s role as manager and in the effort to improve the services at the school, teachers’ feedback were needed to determine to what extent the principal’s effort were internalised in the daily operation of the preschool. Results: The findings revealed that the teachers rated the overall quality areas in the kindergarten as being average. Three quality areas were rated high whereas four others were average. According to the interview with the principal, she had emphasised the importance of the seven quality areas to the teachers. However, the principal’s efforts in ensuring quality practices were not reflected in the level of the quality areas reported by the teachers. There seemed to be an inconsistency in the findings from the teachers and principal. Conclusion: The Social Systems Model explained that in order for information to be disseminated and perceived correctly there need to be a clear understanding on sharing and exchanging of the information between the principal and the teachers. Factors such as participatory management style, employee involvement in decision-making and teachers’ autonomy need to be taken into consideration when trying to implement changes in the school.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	preschool; quality; The Australia Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS), teachers, principal
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education
Divisions:	School of Education & Modern Languages
Depositing User:	Prof. Madya Dr. Zahyah Hanafi
Date Deposited:	18 Apr 2017 02:27
Last Modified:	18 Apr 2017 02:27
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/21594

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