Abstract
<p>Research findings suggest that teachers’ education and training is a key factor in improving the preschool quality. Teachers’ qualifications can lead to high-quality preschool education and positive developmental outcomes for the children. This study examines the effectiveness of the teachers’ professional development program “Upgrading the Quality of the Preschool Environment” on improving the quality of the Kindergartens. The research followed a quasi-experimental design and included 26 kindergarten teachers from 23 public Greek kindergartens, who were divided into an Experimental and a Control Group. The quality of the kindergartens was initially assessed using the ECERS-R scale and a five-month professional development program, based on this initial evaluation and on collaborative practices, was designed and implemented to the Experimental Group. Our results show that although the mean scores of quality before the implementation of the program did not differ significantly (t = 6.45, p =.52), the mean scores, for the Experimental Group (M = 4.71, SD = .62) were significantly higher after the intervention (t = 4.30, p &lt;001) than those of the Control Group (M = 3.78, SD = .37). The follow up evaluation one and a half years later showed the maintenance and further improvement of the results of the program in the quality of the kindergartens. Our research provides useful information that can be used in the future for the designing of professional development programs aimed at improving the quality of the preschool environment.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0756/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
Highlights
The importance of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) quality in modern societies is undeniable, as research findings show that high quality ECEC programs can enhance the children’s holistic development in the short and long term (Mashburn et al, 2008; Siraj et al, 2016).One of the most important factors in improving the quality of the ECEC seems to be the personal, scientific and professional development (PD) of teachers (Ackerman, 2005; Manning et al, 2017)
4.1 Differences in Classroom Quality between the Groups, Before the Implementation of the Professional development programs (PDP) Our research examines the changes that will occur in the quality of the preschool environment in the Experimental Group (EG) compared to the Control Group (CG), as a result of the implementation of the PDP
In order to determine whether the two groups, EG and CG, are equivalent to the quality of the preschool environment, an independent t-test was initially taken by the participants
Summary
One of the most important factors in improving the quality of the ECEC seems to be the personal, scientific and professional development (PD) of teachers (Ackerman, 2005; Manning et al, 2017). Contemporary research emphasizes the importance of teachers’ professional development (PD) as a factor of support and upgrade of the teaching profession and of the upgrade of the overall quality of education (Eurofound, 2015; Gibbons & Cobb, 2017; Lazzari et al, 2013; Moiduddin et al, 2012; Sheridan, Edwards et al, 2009). It is crucial to examine the possibility of improving preschool education’s quality through the strengthening of teachers’ PD, ensuring the children’s overall development. The design, the implementation and the evaluation of its effectiveness on improving the quality of ECEC is the main objective of this study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
