Social Policy in Early Childhood Education and Care Centers as to the Availability, Group Size, and Infant/Staff Ratio

Abstract

Social Policy in Early Childhood Education and Care Centers as to the Availability, Group Size, and Infant/Staff Ratio Megalonidou Christina Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the availability, group size and infant/staff ratio of early childhood education and care centers for children under three of the age in Greece. According to the typology of Spring-Andersen, Greece belongs to the Mediterranean welfare model, where “familism” is the main component of social structure, which is based on strong family ties and an increased sense of intergenerational obligation. This model has family as the primary focus of social solidarity (provision of care and support) and productivity (economic activity within family businesses). Consequently, the involvement of the state in establishing and operating day care centers has been affected. The results of this study show that the existing structures could only cover a small amount of the actual population of this age group, assuming maximum demand. In addition, many of the existing canters had large group sizes and high infant/staff ratio. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jehd.v5n2a21