The Principles of Catholic Preschool Institutions and Their Role in the Process of Upbringing and Education of Children

SUMMARY: Aim: The aim of the article is to analyze the principles of Catholic preschool institutions and their role in the upbringing and education of children. The study focuses on understanding the criteria that parents use when choosing such institutions and evaluates their impact on the moral, spiritual, and educational development of children in the Catholic tradition. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative approach, based on a questionnaire survey conducted among parents who choose Catholic preschools. Additionally, a document analysis was carried out, examining regulations and statutes of selected institutions in order to understand their educational and upbringing offer. Results: The analysis of the survey results and documents reveals that parents are guided by religious values, a sense of security, and alignment with the teachings of the Church when choosing Catholic preschools. They expect these institutions to support the spiritual, moral, and social development of the child, integrating these elements with preschool education. Conclusion: The conducted study provides valuable insights into the motivations of parents and their expectations towards Catholic preschool institutions. While the results are pilot in nature, they highlight the significant role of religious values in the upbringing process. These findings may serve as a starting point for further research on Catholic education in the preschool context. Originality: The article presents an original approach to analyzing Catholic preschool institutions, incorporating both an examination of parental preferences and the analysis of formal documents from the institutions. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the role such institutions play in the upbringing and education of children.