Christmas came early last year for 14 daycare centres across the UK. In November 2000, IT giant IBM gave them up-to-the-minute PCs complete with printers, early learning software, and Little Tikes computer workstations specially designed for young children.
Almost all the centres received two computers each. The gifts marked the arrival in the UK of IBM's Kidsmart Early Learning programme, launched in the USA three years ago as one of the company's reputation-boosting Global Philanthropy initiatives.
The lucky nurseries and pre-schools were chosen with the help of Early Education (formerly BAECE), the company's partner in this endeavour. IBM installed the computers and has provided continuing technical support, so centres had to be fairly close to company offices. They also had to be non-profit-making, lacking in IT provision and, if possible, centres of excellence situated in disadvantaged areas.
Although the company said that it was important to include playgroups, few were chosen, because so many have to share space with other organisations. Rosemary Phillips, supervisor at Hurley Pre-School in Kennington, London, says that her group got its two workstations because it has plenty of dedicated space and, even more important, good security.
Kidsmart offers participating centres three training days a year with IBM in London, supplemented by visits from John Siraj Blatchford, an IT in education expert nominated by Early Education to co-ordinate the programme's training and evaluation. Rosemary Phillips has found his visits very helpful. 'John talks our language,' she says. 'He makes interesting suggestions and doesn't speak too technically.'
She adds, 'We were all computer friendly at the beginning. But the programme has taught us new approaches.' For example, they've seen that the computer works best if it is available to children all the time, integrated into role-play in the same way that computers have become part of everyday life.
Being in Kidsmart has had its problems, however. Rosemary explains, 'Money is tight for most pre-schools, and it is difficult for us to pay staff to cover for people when they're training.' Her group has also had to struggle to find funds for buying ink cartridges, extra paper and additional software.
The Edmark software supplied with the hardware is of a high quality, but, as several of the participating centres have reported, the activities it offers are frequently too difficult for children aged under four. Recognising this, IBM is now thinking about involving reception and possibly Year 1 classes when it extends the programme in the UK next September.
