A Depth Interview on Qualification, Role, and Professionalism of Infant/Toddler Teachers Department of Child & Family Studies, Kyung Hee University Associate Professor : Ahn, Sun Hee Department of Early Childhood Education, Konkuk University Professor : Kim, Ji Eun <Abstract> The purpose of this study was to investigate the basic materials for enhancing the professionalism of 51 infant/toddler teachers through in-depth interview about the actual condition of child care centers. The results were as follows: First, the infant/toddler teachers got less credits of young child care and education subjects than day care teachers did. The current criteria for qualification of infant/toddler teachers was not appropriate for providing the child care services. An efficient and substantial curriculum must be designed to facilitate the day care services for infant/toddler teachers. Second, the infant/toddler teachers recognized that their roles were similar to child care teachers. The curriculum and practice must encourage and nurture the characters, beliefs, and dispositions of infant/toddler teachers. Third, it is necessary to review the various problems to enhance the professionalism of infant/toddler teachers. Several suggestions for enhancing the professionalism are discussed. (professionalism), (infant/toddler teacher), (child care) Corresponding Author : Kim, Ji Eun, Department of Early Childhood Education, Konkuk University, 322 Danwol-dong, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 380-701, Korea Tel: +82-43-840-3381 Fax: +82-43-852-2753 E-mail: jek@kku.ac.kr * 2007 ( ) (KRF-2007-314-C00312) - 87 -
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