Professionalism in early childhood education

In this explorative research project, data from questionnaires, interviews, and a focus group was collected and analyzed in order to explore aspects of the self-perception of professionalism in the field of early childhood education. Data was analyzed using three overarching themes that emerged in the literature: defining the profession, action and advocacy in the profession, and self-perceptions of early childhood educators. The data revealed that these three themes have significant inconsistencies that contribute to a state of disequilibrium and dissonance experienced among early childhood educators, creating obstacles to the move toward greater professionalism in the field of early childhood education.