An Emergent Curriculum in China: Collaborative Tolerance

Abstract

The concept for the piloting of a contemporary early childhood kindergarten in China was visualised by the chief executive officer of TMC Academy, Dr Chin, in July 2002 when he participated in a Singaporean-led mission to Liaoning Province in China. Shenyang Creative Kindergarten is the result of that concept. It opened for children in September 2003 and had an official opening in April 2004. Two experienced directors, one a native English speaker and the other a native Chinese speaker, lead the kindergarten. Both directors work full-time. The English-speaking director manages and coordinates the educational program while the Chinese-speaking director manages the local, bureaucratic, and administrative needs of the kindergarten. The licensing requirements, renovation of the building, employment of staff, curriculum development, and establishment of physical environments and operational systems were established through the joint collaboration of both directors. This colloquium is a brief narrative of the journey undertaken to date. The journey has been satisfying, rewarding, frustrating, and challenging but the best interests of the child have always been at the heart of the decisions made. It has been a reflective and insightful experience and the team of directors is looking forward to the future and to ongoing change.