Early Childhood Education Workforce Research Articles

Caring leadership in early childhood education in Chile: tensions from a highly gendered context

ABSTRACT Educational leadership at early childhood education (ECE) has been extensively studied. However, evidence from Chile is still scarce. As with many parts of the world, the ECE workforce is very female-heavy and Chile is no exception to this. This situation presents an intriguing context for leadership studies as particularities of a gendered role for women as leaders in Chile has not been a matter of analysis. Leadership in ECE includes a sense of vocation or ‘passion’ for children’s care, development, and learning, called caring leadership. This concept highlights an ethical component, interpersonal relations and a concern for the well-being. This article presents the findings of a three-year study involving 12 women leaders in ECE who established a Professional Learning Community. They were interviewed throughout the research. Findings reveal three tensions. Firstly, leadership is associated with a maternal role, perpetuating gender stereotypes. The second tension addresses the dynamics of personal connections within ECE teams in terms of asymmetry or horizontality. The third tension arises from the significance of caring as a crucial aspect of working in ECE education. These tensions underscore the need for a critical analysis of leadership in ECE, as gender considerations may overlook the complexity of the leaders’ role.

The NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ): A Psychometric Assessment with the Early Childhood Education Workforce

The NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ): A Psychometric Assessment with the Early Childhood Education Workforce

Initiatives supporting student retention in early childhood teacher education qualifications

This paper describes a case study using quantitative and qualitative approaches to investigate student engagement and retention within an online early childhood teacher education program at a regional Australian university. Two key interventions, the identification and support of disengaged students and the Embedded Tutors Program are described and examined. Initial findings on these retention initiatives, developed to support Early Childhood Education undergraduates studying in the online environment, are presented. Additionally, discussion of the findings through the theory of practice architectures highlights the practices and institutional arrangements that create the conditions to support student retention. This study is significant in planning for Early Childhood Education workforce quality and supply. It may offer guidance to institutions for their retention practices with early childhood teacher undergraduates studying in the online environment.

Associations between the well-being of the early childhood education workforce and caregiver-child relationships in centre- and home-based settings

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to (1) explore demands and resources among centre-based and Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) early childhood education (ECE) caregivers, and (2) investigate how these factors are associated with the quality of caregiver-child relationships. ECE caregivers (n = 257) completed a survey that assessed demands, resources, and the quality of caregiver-child relationships. Analyses included univariate and bivariate analyses and hierarchical linear regression modelling. Centre-based caregivers (n = 173) reported higher stress, less knowledge related to wellness, and lower confidence related to self-care practices compared to FFN caregivers (n = 84) (all p < .05). Mindfulness was associated with higher reported closeness with children in their care (p < .05). Centre-based caregivers may experience more demands and less resources compared to FFN caregivers which could impact the quality of care. Mindfulness strategies may help to mitigate demands and bolster the well-being of ECE caregivers and healthy early childhood development.

Supporting preschool teachers’ use of culturally grounded Practices: Factors that influence program fidelity

ABSTRACT Policymakers have underscored the importance of professional development (PD) opportunities for supporting the early childhood education workforce. Yet little is known about how the scope and delivery of PD opportunities impact the extent to which the content provided informs classroom practice. In the present study, we explored how teacher fidelity of implementation differs by the PD scope and delivery, and the role it plays in overall classroom quality. Lead teachers in under-resourced preschool centers were randomly assigned to one of three PD conditions: (1) a broad-based program focused on incorporating children’s cultural funds of knowledge throughout the day, delivered via an in-person coach, (2) a culturally grounded classroom storytelling program that is narrow in scope and delivered via in-person coaching, (3) a culturally grounded classroom storytelling program that is narrow in scope and delivered via an animated webinar series. Findings showed that teachers’ fidelity of implementation was higher when trained in a classroom program that is narrow in scope, fidelity did not vary by mode of delivery (i.e., in-person coaching vs. webinars), and that higher fidelity of implementation was predictive of more supportive classroom practices. Results are discussed in relation to implications for best practices surrounding in-service professional development opportunities.

The status, pathways and discourses of professionalism for early childhood education teachers in Chinese policies

This study adopts qualitative analysis strategies to examine how national policies (2010–2020) recognize the professionalism of early childhood education (ECE) teachers in China. The results suggest that ECE teachers have lower status than school teachers, as reflected in the differentiated professional qualification requirements and scant attention in national policies. A managerial view of teachers’ professionalism is currently dominant. The ideas of teacher autonomy and collaboration are still emerging and scattered throughout national policies. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of ECE teachers’ professionalism, which has wider implications for countries committed to enhancing their ECE workforce.

Who Enters the Early Childhood Education Workforce?

Who Enters the Early Childhood Education Workforce?

Changes in demands and resources faced by the early childhood education workforce due to COVID-19.

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on demands, resources, and job satisfaction among a convenience sample of early childhood education (ECE) staff employed in Head Start preschools in a large metro area of Colorado. A survey was administered to a sample of Head Start staff at two timepoints: Time 1 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) in October of 2019 (n = 137) and Time 2 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) in November of 2020 (n = 86). The survey consisted of a combination of validated measures to assess personal and external demands and resources and work satisfaction. Workload is a perceived external demand that significantly improved from pre- to mid-pandemic in this sample (z = -3.3, p < 0.01). Many personal and external resources changed pre- to mid-pandemic, though none were statistically significant. Overall job satisfaction in this sample increased, though it was not statistically significant (z = -1.04, p = 0.3). Mitigating demands, such as minimizing workload, and increasing job-related resources, such as bolstering management supports, may lead to improved job satisfaction of the ECE workforce employed in Head Start settings. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified poor mental health and numerous job demands, some of the pandemic-related regulations may have also decreased the workload for some subgroups of the ECE workforce, potentially translating to improved job satisfaction. However, significant disparities remain with respect to personal and external demands among this sample of the ECE workforce compared to the national workforce suggesting multi-level resources and supports are critical to further buffer these stressors.

1.83 Burnout in the Early Childhood Education Sector: Considering the Roles of Stress, Distress, and Support

Early childhood education (ECE) has been shown to increase cognitive-academic functioning, developmental outcomes, and social performance at the time of entering school with benefits persisting into adulthood. Turnover has been a longstanding issue in childcare, with estimates of 15%-25% of providers exiting the field each year. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased ECE workforce exit, leading to a crisis in childcare demand. Burnout contributes to turnover and negatively impacts the relationship between providers and children.

Who’s teaching the teachers? An exploration of early childhood teacher preparation program faculty’s cultural competence, work burnout, and teaching efficacy

ABSTRACT Over recent decades, the demographic composition of children in the United States has rapidly shifted, culturally and linguistically. Concomitantly, there has been an increased need for early childhood education (ECE) teacher preparation programs to develop a culturally competent ECE workforce who are equipped to provide equitable learning experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. Given increasing attention and calls from education researchers, policymakers, and other partners to develop a culturally competent ECE workforce, the current study sought to explore program faculty’s cultural competence, specifically their culturally and linguistically responsive (CLR) teaching practices, and its association with feelings of work burnout and perceived teaching efficacy – two factors likely to be influenced by such heightening demands and to impact pre-service teachers’ own teaching competencies. Using structural equation modeling, the current study examined survey responses from 117 program faculty measuring their cultural competence and its association with feelings of work burnout and teaching efficacy. Analyses indicated that, overall, program faculty with higher levels of cultural competence reported minimal feelings of work burnout and higher teaching efficacy, and vice versa. Findings from the current study provide important research and practice strategies for the field of ECE teacher preparation.

Cultural diversity in the Australian early childhood education workforce: What do we know, what don’t we know and why is it important?

This paper reviews current literature and research relevant to the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce in Australia, including data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Australia is a highly multicultural society, with one out of every three people born overseas. Anecdotally, the Australian early childhood sector is reported to have a highly multicultural workforce. Yet there is a noticeable lack of data and research concerning cultural diversity in the Australian ECE workforce. This paper reports on the data from the ABS-Census of Population and Housing (ABS-Census), the small body of literature on the CALD ECE workforce and literature pertaining to CALD in other Australian workforces to argue that more data and research is needed. Developing a richer understanding of the status, experience and contributions of CALD educators would enable the sector to recognise and support the potential benefits of such a workforce for children and families and social cohesion in Australia.

Job Demands and Resources Experienced by the Early Childhood Education Workforce Serving High-Need Populations.

The early childhood education (ECE) workforce plays a key role in promoting early childhood development by their interactions with young children during formative years. However, the inherent demands of the profession and the work conditions within ECE settings affect job satisfaction and overall health and well-being. This study applied the Job Demands-Resources Model (JD-R) and administered a cross-sectional survey (n = 137) to examine disparities in personal and external demands and resources that may impact job satisfaction and turnover rates among ECE staff who provide care for preschool children (3–5 years of age). ECE staff reported higher levels of personal demands, including depression and perceived stress, and external demands, including workload and staffing concerns, compared to the national workforce (all p < .01). The data also illustrated disparities related to resource access; ECE staff reported lower levels of personal resources, including mindfulness, and less access to external resources including safety climate, resource adequacy, role clarity, respect, and management relationships (all p < .01). Only 34% of ECE staff reported being very satisfied with their work compared to 49% of the national workforce (p < .01). External resources were significantly and positively associated with job satisfaction (B = .09, p < .01). These findings suggest that ECE staff experience significantly higher demands and have access to significantly fewer resources in the workplace, and that bolstering job-related resources may translate to increased job satisfaction.

Identifying predictors of retention and professional wellbeing of the early childhood education workforce in a time of change

The international agenda for quality improvement in early childhood education and care (ECEC) has driven policies targeting workforce professionalisation. Increased training and accountability have been required, but without commensurate renumeration. Attendant staff turnover and educator stress threaten to undermine the achievement of intended policy goals. In a study of the Australian ECEC workforce, we conducted a national survey. We also longitudinally tracked staff turnover in a stratified sample of ECEC centres in remote, regional and urban locations, each with different populations and economic ecosystems. National survey data (N = 916) showed intended exit (22%) was associated with upgrading qualifications and positive motivations at entry to the workforce while intention to stay was associated with having a career role and personal satisfaction. The small variations in wages or work demands in the sector did not moderate these relationships but supportive workplaces increased intention to stay. In tracked centres (N = 98 staff), annual turnover (37%) was explained by personal (e.g., maternity) and workplace factors, both positive (promotion, removing unsuited staff) and negative (dissatisfaction). Highest turnover was in remote locations (47%). We conclude that long term sustainability should attend to appropriate reward of professionalisation. In the short-term supportive workplace culture is critical in retaining and sustaining educators.

“I Am the Teacher”: how male educators conceptualize their impact on the early childhood classroom

ABSTRACT According to recent statistics, fewer than 3% of early childhood educators are self-identified men. Thus, at a time when young children are constructing their identities and exploring gender roles and boundaries, opportunities for them to engage in authentic and meaningful learning experiences with both male and female teachers are scarce. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how self-identified male educators construct non-normative masculinities as they fulfill their roles with young children within early childhood education (ECE) environments. To achieve this objective, we draw upon the voices of men in the field to highlight their motivations and shed light on the challenges of their lived experience in the field of ECE. We use data from questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and classroom observations from a much larger research project that uncovered intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing men’s decisions to join the ECE workforce. Overall, the men in our study view their involvement in ECE as an opportunity to support children’s social and emotional development as they also push back on stereotypes about men in this sector. Our findings have implications for national and international practices and policies that envision the recruitment, support and retention of men as a key strategy for building and normalizing a mixed gender workforce in ECE while also enhancing opportunities for young children and their families to engage in meaningful and positive gender experiences with both female and male educators.

Primary + Early Childhood = chalk and cheese? Tensions in undertaking an early childhood/primary education degree

There is well-established evidence that the quality of early childhood education workforce impacts upon children’s learning. Attracting qualified teacher graduates to work in early childhood centres is an essential component towards the provision of quality care. Significant investment by the Australian Government has been made to prepare early childhood teachers, yet teaching at this level is characterised by poorer working conditions compared with primary school teachers. Various programme models qualify applicants as early childhood teachers, yet there is no evidence of the most appropriate model. Our study’s focus was to identify reasons for entering a teacher education programme, career intentions and satisfaction of pre-service teachers enrolled in early childhood/primary degree programmes at two Australian universities. Findings demonstrate that the degrees were not fulfilling the government investment goals for increasing early childhood teacher numbers, nor were the degrees meeting student expectation for an early childhood teaching career. We argue that renewed policy strategies are required to support new early childhood graduates and professionals, and attract teachers to work in early childhood education.

‘Mud in my ears and jam in my beard’: Challenging gendered ways of being in nature kindergarten practitioners

ABSTRACTNature kindergartens present opportunities to foster a love of natural environments through formative early childhood experiences. Three early childhood education settings – one in Denmark, one in Finland and one in Scotland – provided insight into nature kindergarten provision that has historically attracted a high proportion of male staff. At the three cases, this qualitative study recorded observation and interview data during 53 sessions across 16 months, with each setting being visited once in each season. Work by Foucault [1976. “Truth and Power.” In Essential Works of Foucault, edited by P. Rabinow, 111–133. New York: The New Press; Foucault. 1978. The History of Sexuality. Volume I. New York: Vintage] and Connell [2005. Masculinities. Cambridge: Policy Press] permit a deeper understanding of the ways in which different environments may afford specific kinds of social interaction that privilege certain ‘ways of being’. This paper provides a nuanced consideration of how masculinities and femininities, shaped through governing socio-cultural discourses, are evident in nature kindergarten practice. The findings feature descriptions of simple, quotidian practices that have local relevance to each setting and were recognised to support nature-based learning. Such practices are influenced by practitioner-held, gendered dispositions and orientations towards nature that collectively underpin career choice and sustain contributions to the early childhood education workforce. This research adds to the developing literature regarding nature kindergartens, nature-based learning and early-childhood education and offers suggested directions for future research.

Enhancing the Impact of Professional Development in the Context of Preschool Expansion

Among all the factors that influence the success of preschool programs, none is more important than the quality of the teaching workforce. The design and delivery of effective approaches to professional development (PD) are central to the support of the early childhood education workforce. In this article, we provide a model outlining the PD features that help to ensure that PD is effective, as well as the program- and policy-level supports needed to implement this type of PD as a part of local, state, and federal preschool programs. Throughout the article, we summarize recent research that is refining our understanding of the characteristics of effective PD, and we draw from research as well as our own experience in working with Head Start and state preschool programs across the country to illuminate challenges and promising practices in implementing effective PD at scale.

The “Othering” of Men in Early Childhood Education: Applying Covey’s Seven Habits

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; How do early childhood educators, parents, and administrators really feel about men working with young children? Should men work as teachers of young children from birth through 8 years of age? Is this women’s work? Does explicitly and implicitly excluding men from the early childhood education workforce benefit the early childhood community’s commitment to diversity? Young children should have a diverse range of experiences including learning from men in their early childhood education settings (Bullough, 2015). In order to effectively recruit and retain more men into the early childhood education profession, early childhood education staff, parents, and administrators have to address their overt and covert “othering” biases toward men working in early childhood education environments.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The Early Childhood Socio-Emotional and Behavior Regulation Intervention Specialist (EC-SEBRIS) training model: a crossroad of mental health and early childhood education

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present the Early Childhood-Socio-Emotional and Behavior Regulation Intervention Specialist (EC-SEBRIS) Certificate Program model integrating knowledge and practice. Coursework, videotaping, on-site coaching, and the reflective process facilitate the application of knowledge through the integration of theory and practice supporting young children and families. It is designed to help teachers and early childhood professionals to internalize the skills and competencies needed to address challenging behaviors in their classrooms or at homes so that they can meet the critical social-emotional and behavioral needs of children.Design/methodology/approach– The paper will provide: research-based information to establish the need for such training programs; the rational to the conceptual framework of the EC-SEBRIS Certificate Program; the depiction of the wraparound training model, which uses triple coaching and mentoring methods: reflective supervision, videotaping, and on-site coaching for teachers; and a preliminary evaluation of the program, and future plans.Findings– The EC-SEBRIS Certificate Program is at its early implementation stage. The author have graduated four cohorts, for a total of 113, early childhood professionals who have been hired to enhance the behavioral health services provided to young children and families. Overall, results suggest that the students’ knowledge base and confidence improved from time 1 to time 2 for each of the knowledge-based courses.Research limitations/implications– This is a conceptual paper.Practical implications– The program bridges the early childhood education (ECE) and early childhood mental health fields, and recognizes the important role that early care and education professionals play in the socio-emotional development of young children. Coursework, videotaping, on-site coaching, and the reflective process facilitate the application of knowledge through the integration of theory and practice in the field supporting young children and families.Social implications– Challenging behaviors are one of the issues all early childhood educators have to deal within their classrooms. The model, as presented in the manuscript, can be implemented in other higher education institutions to enhance the skill sets of professionals who need to respond to this critical need and support healthy development of young children.Originality/value– This is an original model emphasizing the importance of training early childhood educators to support emotion and behavior regulation in young children. The paper presents a cutting edge teaching model which integrates knowledge, practice, and reflective practice. This training model focuses on the ECE workforce as the front line to the provision of early childhood mental health support.

Creating Trauma-Informed Schools for Rural Appalachia: The Partnerships Program for Enhancing Resiliency, Confidence and Workforce Development in Early Childhood Education

Poverty lack of resources and pervasive adversity threaten the healthy social and emotional development of many children living in rural Appalachia. Despite these traumatic stressors, however, Appalachian residents have proven surprisingly resilient and responsive to intervention. This article describes the twin efforts of the Partnerships Program for Early Childhood Mental Health and Project LAUNCH, a community-university-state initiative, to transform school systems by establishing enduring partnerships within and across schools and agencies, pooling and disseminating critical resources, and strengthening the skills, confidence and capacity of the early childhood education workforce. This article describes the three-tiered framework of services implemented at the schools, with special emphasis on its trauma-informed training for educators combined with trauma-specific mental health interventions delivered on site. Despite a modest sample size, results indicate significant pre-improvement/post-improvement in teacher confidence and hopefulness in positively impacting challenging child behaviors; a decrease in the negative attributes of the preschool learning environment; and increased teacher ratings of child resilience as measured by the Devereux Early Child Assessment. Program limitations and future directions for creating trauma-informed Appalachian schools are discussed.