Preschool education challenges in Chile: Enlarge the coverage, improve quality and avoid attach effect

Abstract

This article assesses the situation of preschool education in Chile as a result of its importance in certain legal initiatives oriented to increase its incorporation and access. The proposal defends that only by applying some fundamental modifications to these initiatives a replication of the detrimental Chilean education conditions can be avoided at this level. The evaluation introduces and questions the context in which these initiatives have been proposed; connects scientific investigations, some political conditions, and the socio-demographic changes with the policies design; and exposes the background which allows the comprehension of the preschool education situation in Chile. Finally, this article presents conclusions in order to emphasise the necessity to avoid negative implications in the policies design for preschool education above the necessity of elaborating comprehensive policies.