SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: THE PROBLEM OF "CAREGIVER" ATTRIBUTION TO TEACHERS

Abstract

Although the discussions on the care responsibilities of preschool teachers have been going on for years, it has flared up during the pandemic process. For that reason, the aim of the current study is set to examine in depth the views of preschool teachers and parents of preschool students on the caregiver role of preschool education. This research was designed as phenomenological research, one of the qualitative approaches. The purposeful sampling was used to determine the participants. In the research semi-structured interview form is used for gathering data and the data analyzed by content analysis. As a result, while parents emphasized the need for care for their children, preschool teachers also stated that they were aware of the group they worked with and served for a group in need of care. The point that creates problems about the care situation is that teachers are viewed as caregivers and approached to their work in this way. In the research, it was inferred by the statements of preschool teachers that this is not related to the concept of "caregiver", and that the "caregiver" job is a very difficult, self-sacrificing, and demanding profession, but it is not their only job.

Keywords: Preschool education, preschool teachers, childcare, teacher as a caregiver.

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