@article {289,
	title = {QUALITY OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS IN ESTONIAN PRESCHOOLS},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century },
	volume = {15},
	year = {2009},
	month = {November/2009},
	type = {Original article},
	chapter = {118-124},
	abstract = {The quality of the learning environment in a group is an important factor in evaluation of activities in preschools. Studies have shown that factors of the learning environment influence different aspects of child{\textquoteright}s development as well as smooth transition from kindergarten to school. Since 1994 besides traditional kindergarten groups there are also Step by Step groups in Estonia that emphasise on the need of child-centred education. The present article gives an overview of a study where the quality of the learning environment was compared in the Step by Step and traditional kindergarten groups by using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition. ECERS-R consists of 7 areas that cover the main quality factors in kindergarten groups: premises, equipment, programme structure, activities in the group, child-adult communication, cooperation with parents and professional support to staff. Observation based on the ECERS-R scale and an additional interview was carried out in 2008 in 30 groups in total {\textendash} in 15 traditional groups and 15 Step by Step groups. The results showed that the quality of the learning environment in the Step by Step groups was higher than the quality of traditional groups. The main differences were in relations between teachers and children and group activities.},
	keywords = {learning environment, preschool},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1395387091.pdf},
	author = {Tiia {\~O}un}
}
@article {77,
	title = {ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF PRE-SCHOOL ESTABLISHMENTS IN ESTONIA},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century },
	volume = {4},
	year = {2008},
	month = {February/2008},
	type = {Original article},
	chapter = {39-45},
	abstract = {The article describes theoretically the quality evaluation system of pre-school establishments in Estonia. According to the constitution of the Republic of Estonia (1992) the education is under the state surveillance. When in earlier years the state surveillance was performed in all the pre-school establishments at least once in six years, then since 2006 an internal assessment obligation was established in the pre-school establishments and the counselling on internal assessment issues shall be ensured on the state level. That means that the personnel of the pre-school establishments can plan and analyse their operation in all the areas, co-operate with interest groups and collect feedback from them about the performance of their work. The basis of the assessment is internal assessment criteria, the compiling of which has followed the principles of Total Quality Management. The internal assessment of pre-school establishments is supported by external assessment system, the aim of which is to support and counsel the development activity of the pre-school establishments. The article gives overview about opportunities and problems of quality measurement in pre-school establishments in Estonia. },
	keywords = {assessment, pre-school establishment, quality},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1392222643.pdf},
	author = {Tiia {\~O}un}
}
