Professionalism in Early Childhood Education

This book on professionalism by Stephanie Feeney stands to elevate the field. It introduces the idea of a wider and deeper set of dispositions and skills that are required of teachers if we're ever going to realize true reform and bring about excellence for young children.

Sherry Cleary

Executive Director

New York City Early Childhood Professional Development Institute

The City University of New York

In this groundbreaking book Stephanie Feeney addresses the topic of professionalism and how insights gained from the study of professions can contribute to practice in the field of early childhood education. She offers an approach to looking at professionalism that reflects the unique history, mission and knowledge base of the field of early childhood education.

In it she discusses:

      the nature of professions,

      the professional status of early childhood education,

      knowledge and skills that are needed to work effectively with young children (technical competence),

      professional behaviors needed by early childhood educators including communication skills, work ethic,

        and professional ethics (moral competence), and

      personal attributes that are desirable for those who work with young children.

Because experiences in the early years are so important, those who work with young children need to exhibit a high degree of professionalism in their day-to-day work with children. This book was written to guide them in providing the high standards of nurturing education and care that young children need to support their development.