Reasons for parents' preference for preschoo education (Istanbul province example)

Due to the increasing population, the intense competitive environment is gradually increasing. In this intensely competitive environment, it has become inevitable for individuals to receive a good education in order to be different, therefore the importance of pre-school education, which is the first step of education, is increasing day by day. Parents are looking for schools where their children can receive quality education for better pre-school education. This study was conducted with parents in Seniye-Hüseyin Özalp pre-school education centers in Tuzla district of Istanbul. Quantitative research method was used as the method of the study. The data obtained was analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. Research findings show that pre-education is compulsory and necessary and that expectations from the school and especially from the teacher are high for the development of children. It was observed that the majority of the parents participating in the survey were working parents and that preschool institutions were seen as a safe place. In addition, it seems that pre-school education institutions are accepted as institutions for education and training purposes and are adopted by parents. In the survey, parents' opinions that pre-school education should be free, that the institution should be close to their settlements and their own homes, that the physical structure of the school should be suitable for children's developmental characteristics and that it should be suitable for child health came to the fore. As a result of the study, recommendations were made for both parents and school administrators.