Scientific and societal changes necessitate continuous adaptations, which lead to transformations at both institutional and individual levels. Postmodern society demands the early childhood education professionals to be autonomous, creative, and committed to lifelong learning, with a particular emphasis on the importance of professional development. The European Union acknowledges this by recognizing the role of early childhood education and urging member states to enhance the profession's societal status, invest in the education and development of educators' competencies, and highlight the complexities of education in contemporary society. For professional development to be of high quality, it is essential to provide suitable conditions and consider that this development unfolds in different stages across an educator’s career.
The aim of this master’s thesis is to design an instrument for analysing the professional trajectories of early childhood education professionals and the factors influencing their professional development, drawing from various models of professional development for educational professionals.
The findings indicate that early childhood education professionals face various challenges at different stages of their careers, ranging from initial adaptation and the establishment of professional identity to taking on leadership roles and mentoring younger generations. The results highlight that mentorship, continuous professional development, and organizational support are crucial for professional growth and long-term job satisfaction. Internal factors, such as intrinsic motivation and commitment to the profession, contribute to career stability, while external factors, such as working conditions, administrative workload, and career advancement opportunities, significantly influence educators' decisions to stay in or leave the profession. Despite a strong professional commitment, educators report experiencing numerous stressors.
The research confirms that the professional development of early childhood education professionals is a multifaceted process that requires systematic support from the educational system, continuous professional training, and improvements in working conditions. The findings underscore the necessity of strengthening comprehensive systemic support for educators throughout all phases of their careers.
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