There is powerful evidence from neuroscience that the early years of development from conception to age six, particularly

the first three years, set the base for competence and coping skills that will affect learning, behaviour and health throughout life (McCain & Mustard, 1999)3

There is encouraging evidence that good nutrition, nurturing and responsive caregiving in the first years of life, linked with good early childhood programs, improve the outcomes for all childrens learning, behaviour and physical and mental health throughout life.

The internationally accepted definition of early childhood is the period of a childs life from birth to age eight years (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 2006). The term early childhood is used in this review to encompass this period, including both services and provision for children in the prior-to-school years and the early years of school.

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Preschool The term preschool is used to refer to services accessed by children and families in the year immediately preceding the first year of compulsory school. In South Australia, the following guidelines apply:

Preschool education is provided by the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) for all children in the year before they start school. Preschool services may be called preschools, kindergartens, child parent centres, children's services centres or children's centres. Some services offer preschool and child care at the same location. All children are entitled to attend preschool in the year before they start school. Children aged no less than four years old are entitled, where resources permit, to attend up to four preschool sessions per week, for up to four consecutive terms before entry to the reception class of primary school. Full time preschool means four sessions per week. Sessions last for up to three hours. Arrangements can be flexible depending on need eg in some circumstances two sessions a day may be arranged. Aboriginal children and children under the Guardianship of the Minister for Education and Children's Services are able to start preschool at three years of age. (Department of Education and Childrens Services, 2006)

Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan (KSPK)

Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan (KSPK) diperkenalkan pada 2010 bertujuan untuk memperkembangkan potensi kanak-kanak berumur empat hingga enam tahun secara menyeluruh dan bersepadu dalam aspek jasmani, emosi, rohani, intelek dan sosial melalui persekitaran pembelajaran yang selamat serta menyuburkan melalui aktiviti yang menyeronokkan, kreatif dan bermakna. Melalui kurikulum ini kemahiran literasi dan numerasi asas murid dipertingkatkan, keyakinan dibangunkan dan konsep kendiri yang positif pada diri kanak-kanak dipupuk. Ini adalah untuk menyediakan murid agar mereka berupaya menyesuaikan diri dengan persekitaran sedia ada dan bersedia untuk menangani cabaran bagi kelangsungan pembelajaran seterusnya. KSPK terbina berdasarkan rekabentuk kurikulum berasaskan standard dan berbentuk modular. Standard kandungan dan standard pembelajaran yang patut diketahui dan boleh dilakukan oleh kanak-kanak berumur empat hingga enam tahun. Standard kandungan dan standard pembelajaran adalah berpaksikan kepada pengetahuan, kemahiran asas serta nilai dalam enam Tunjang Pembelajaran berikut: Komunikasi; Kerohanian, Sikap dan

Nilai; Kemanusiaan; Sains dan Teknologi; Perkembangan Fizikal dan Estetika serta Perkembangan Ketrampilan Diri. Pada peringkat prasekolah, proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran berdasarkan kepada Amalan Bersesuaian dengan Perkembangan Kanak-kanak (ABP) Developmentally Appropriate Practices. Pendekatan pengajaran dan pembelajaran bersifat fleksibel tetapi terancang di mana semua murid terlibat secara aktif melalui pelbagai aktiviti individu, kumpulan dan kelas sama ada di dalam atau di luar bilik darjah. Suasana pembelajaran yang selesa, ceria dan selamat dapat menggalakkan naluri ingin tahu dan gemarkan cabaran yang seiring dengan fitrah semulajadi kanak-kanak.