FUNCTIONING OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN A PANDEMIC

This paper focuses on the issue of preschool education in a pandemic. The purpose of this study is to identify the problems that Preschool Educational Institutions (PEI) may face during a pandemic. Particular attention is paid to the topic of the article - the activities of PEI in a pandemic. The research broaches such issues as the mode of PEI functioning, the organization of an educational process in PEI, and the specific features of the activities of the PEI staff under quarantine conditions. To complete the study the following methods were used: theoretical – analysis of psychological-pedagogical and methodological sources, review of educational designs and programs, educational and methodological complexes, and actual educational resources of PEIs; empirical – questionnaires, surveys, interviews, testing, direct and indirect observation, and expert evaluation. The article explores the specificity of PEI activities both under the conditions of distance functioning and under the conditions of normal activity, observing quarantine measures. It also reveals and analyses complications and difficulties in the work of the PEI staff, as well as inconveniences for children and parents. Furthermore, the study considers the measures aimed to eliminate the negative factors of distance learning and gives recommendations for the heads of Preschool Educational Institutions on the peculiarities of their activities in a pandemic.