6533b862fe1ef96bd12c75f6

RESEARCH PRODUCT

A Finnish viewpoint on professionalism in early childhood education

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ABSTRACT This article discusses professionalism in early childhood education through the analytical tool of a research‐based multi‐level perspective that sees this as a cultural, communal, organisational, and individual phenomenon. Starting from an understanding of professionalism derived from a model of professional expertise, the article discusses the Finnish day‐care context at the social and cultural level, followed by a discussion of field‐specific knowledge as a tool for building professionalism. Professionalism is further examined as it plays out in the employees’ working environment, the day‐care centre and its working culture and from the perspective of the professionals themselves. Key characteristics of professionalism in the Finnish early childhood education sector are also summarised. RESUME: Cet article traite du professionnalisme dans le champ de la petite enfance grâce a un outil d’analyse inscrit dans une recherche, a plusieurs niveaux, qui le concoit comme un phenomene culturel, commun, ...