The Current Situation and Perspectives on Improving the Continuing Professional Education of Preschool Educators

Osnovni cilj ovoga rada bio je utvrditi sadašnje stanje, probleme i perspektive u organizaciji kontinuiranog profesionalnog obrazovanja odgajatelja te njihovu percepciju postojećih obrazovnih uvjeta i mogućnosti. U istraživanju je sudjelovao 61 odgajatelj Dječjeg vrtića Rijeka. Korištena je modificirana verzija upitnika konstruiranoga za ispitivanje obrazovnih potreba, uvjeta i mogućnosti andragoških djelatnika (Čepić, 2008) te Skale percepcije uvjeta i mogućnosti za uključivanje u programe stručnih usavršavanja. Rezultati su pokazali da je većina odgajatelja posljednjih godinu dana stjecala znanja i vještine uključivanjem u neki organizirani oblik i samostalno se usavršavala te da imaju pozitivan stav prema programima stručnog usavršavanja. Najveći broj odgajatelja želi stjecati znanja i vještine sudjelovanjem u seminarima i radionicama kao preferiranim oblicima obrazovanja u okviru svoje organizacije ili u specifičnim strukovnim udrugama koji bi se realizirali u trajanju od nekoliko dana do nekoliko mjeseci. Praksu i iskustvo, samoobrazovanje te seminare i radionice smatraju oblicima obrazovanja i usavršavanja koji su najviše pridonijeli razvoju njihovih profesionalnih kompetencija u različitim područjima, pri čemu nedostatak financijskih sredstava ističu ključnom zaprekom a odgovarajuće vrednovanje njihovih kvalifikacija u ustanovi gdje rade i poticajne materijalne mogućnosti i uvjete rada najvećim poticajem. Dob i radni staž odgajatelja nisu povezani s percepcijom uvjeta i mogućnosti za uključivanje u programe stručnog usavršavanja.The main purpose of this thesis was to determine the current state, problems and perspectives of the organisation of continued professional education of preschool teachers including the perception of existing education conditions as well as possibilities. 61 preschool teachers from Kindergarten Rijeka was involved in the research. It was implemented a modified version of the questionairre, constructed for testing of educational necessities, conditions and possibilities of andragogical employees (Čepić, 2008) and Scale of perception of conditions and possibilities for inclusion in the programs of professional development. The results have shown that a large number of preschool teachers has been gaining the knowledge and skills by engaging in some form of organisation thus performing a sort of professional development and showing a positive attitude according to proffesional development programs. The largest number of preschool teachers want to gain knowledge and skills with participation in workshops and seminars as preffered forms of education in the scope of their organisation or in specific associations which would be realised within few days up to a few months. Practice and experience, self education along with seminars and workshops are considered forms of education with the greatest contribution for the development of their professional competences in different areas, with deficit of financial funds which is considered the crucial disadvantage and appropriate evaluation of their qualifications in the institution they work for, along with stimulating financial possibilities and work conditions to be the greatest incitement. Age and employment record are not related with the perception of conditions and possibilities for engaging into professional development programs