Children’s perspectives on the quality of extended education offerings

Abstract

The intended effects of Extended Education Offerings (EEOs) depend on their quality and struc-ture. As a result, there is an increasing focus on examining concepts of quality in extended edu-cation. Children’s views on the quality of EEOs can differ from those of adults, as they have specific knowledge about EEO. This study investigates children’s views on quality aspects of EEOs to obtain a solid background from which a learning environment can be created conducive to the promotion of children’s well-being. The database for this article consists of 46 photo tours and group interviews with 194 children participating in nine different EEOs in one Swiss canton. Based on the CIPO model, the results indicate that the main dimensions of process quality are: relationships, autonomy, and participation. Structural aspects are mentioned less frequently, but ensuring sufficient space for a variety of needs is important for children’s well-being.