Gestão e implementação das diretrizes oficiais para educação infantil no município de Patos de Minas, MG - 1996 2010

Abstract

This study aims to analyze how the official guidelines for early childhood education were implemented in Patos de Minas in the period 1996 to 2010. The incorporation of early childhood education to basic education through the Law of Basic Guidelinesfor Education (known as LDBEN in Brazil) LDBEN 9.394/1996 set responsibilities for the municipalities and demanded actions directly related to early childhood education, such as the organization and expansion of services, the professional training, and the integration of child care to the educational system. We sought to understand the implementation of policies for early childhood education from the macro concept to the institutional action, in the micro context. We historically contextualized early childhood education from the concepts of childhood, children and their institutionalization as well as the policies regarding this segment. Herein, the role of multilateral organizations in the formulation of early childhood education in Brazil the Federal Constitution of 1988 (referendum for the right of early childhood education) and the legislations arising from the LDBEN are focused. Besides, historical and political aspects are described as a means to understand the implementation of childhood education policies. Analyses carried out on the documents issued by the Ministry of Education and by the Municipal Secretariat of Education of Patos de Minas along with an interview with managers and childhood educators belonging to Municipal Centers of Childhood Education, allowed us to conclude that the implementation of policies concerning childhood education (whether it has actually happened) has not been satisfactory when it comes to valuing this educational segment.