Early Childhood Education in Northern Cyprus.

The history of early childhood education in Cyprus, from the time of the Ottoman Empire to the present, is reviewed in this paper as the context for reporting on a survey of 1,071 full-time and working Turkish Cypriot mothers regarding the daily difficulties of child rearing. The survey was undertaken to inform policymaking efforts of the government in Northern Cyprus as it considers the problems of nonparental care and working mothers. Child rearing and early childhood education in the Ottoman Period, the British Period, and at the present time are reviewed. The survey results present a picture of the current situation with regard to demand for day care and day care centers, care by grandmothers, and reactions of children to grandmothers and mothers. Results highlight the need for a consistent preschool education policy. (Contains 16 references.) (DR)