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Nowadays the institution of the School is being questioned by some critical sectors of society who, by drawing on the explanatory framework put forward by the so called deschooling theories, are able to organize themselves and create citizen networks in order to provide privately for the education of their children within specific organizational and pedagogical models. The purpose of this case study is to identify the organizational model (defined by its mission, vision and values) used in an alternative education project for preprimary school education with the aim of reflecting on its pedagogical and organizational implications. We conclude by pointing out that there exists an excessive amount of confidence in the context’s educational potential based on the interests and motivations of the learners. In addition, the capacity for pedagogical and organizational innovation of the State education system is underestimated. There is, furthermore, a need to establish mechanisms capable of improving participation. Finally, the claim, perhaps unrealistic, of maintaining a certain ideological neutrality in the project is also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to identify and reflect on the reasons behind the choice of an alternative education centre for the stage of Early Childhood Education in Spain. For this purpose, it is used a biographical-narrative methodology based on a multiple case study made up of 24 families. That way, four major motivational categories are identified: promotion of the integral development of the person, opposition to the traditional school, search for happiness in childhood and trust in the principles pedagogical. Analysed families especially value a comprehensive education beyond its instrumental purpose, they consider public school as the extreme opposite to the principles and values defended from alternative projects. It concludes by pointing out how these motivations, in addition to having a pedagogical sense, respond to a broader strategy to reproduce their identity and lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]