2023
New Curriculum
A new Curriculum for Early Childhood Education is put in place in all Model Kindergartens (No. 13646/D1/7-2-2023), after being piloted during the 2022/23 school year. The new Kindergarten Curriculum responds first and foremost to the needs of all students without discrimination, to the new social reality and to the new scientific context as regards teaching, learning, subjects and the practices applied, as well as the development of skills that are essential to the citizens of the 21st century. The Curriculum forms the framework for ensuring the quality of the educational programme as it describes the goals, philosophy and processes for designing and developing appropriate and experientially rich learning environments in Kindergarten. It is both flexible and open, as it provides kindergarten teachers with the tools that allow the creative integration of its principles in the design of teaching interventions that meet the needs of the school unit, the children in the class and all those involved in the learning process.
A key reform in this context is the introduction of the English language, starting from 2021/21, in the Kindergarten curriculum, through creative experiential activities. (Government Gazette 3311/Β/26-07-2021).
At the forefront of the process of the reform lies the fact that, for the first time in Greece, synergy is achieved between teachers of two (2) specialties, Kindergarten and English Literature, applying Twin teaching - Team teaching techniques. The reform is expected to benefit and contribute significantly to the linguistic and all-round development of learners and thus strengthen multilingual awareness, intercultural communication and the formation of the identity of the active citizen in the contemporary multicultural society. To support the reform, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki developed educational material. Also, the Institute of Educational Policy offers relevant training for teachers.
2021
Pre-School Education
Pre-school education has a duration of two years. It is compulsory for children aged 4 and 5. Since school year 2020/21, the provision of two-year pre-school education is effective at national level (Law 4704/2020).