Child Care and Early Education Research Connections

Skip to main content

Head Start teacher perceptions on organizational support of adult-child interactions

Share
Description:

Head Start (HS) teachers are central to providing constructive adult–child interactions that prepare preschool-age students for school and future successes. This qualitative study included interviews with teachers and explored teachers’ perceptions of organization and teacher well-being related to improving student outcomes. Understanding the HS teacher setting will help educators and administrators transform early childhood educational experiences for the better. Findings demonstrate barriers to delivering high-quality, adult–child interactions on a consistent basis in the classroom. These barriers include having two rather than three teachers in the classroom and facing three annual Desired Results Developmental Profile child assessments rather than the state-required two. Lack of access to high quality and effective professional development was also not conducive to continuous learning. Organizations must give teachers opportunities to attend effective training on an ongoing basis to increase the sustainability of HS and to improve teachers’ experiences. Finally, teachers in organizations that promoted teacher involvement in leadership teams had a more positive perspective on their value in decision making and within the organization. Teachers who advocate for themselves in leadership settings develop buy-in when it comes to decision making and ensuring program curricula, strategies,  and policies are implemented consistently. (author abstract)

Resource Type:
Reports & Papers
Country:
United States
State(s):
California

- You May Also Like

These resources share similarities with the current selection.

Family child care providers in the CACFP: Operational effects of reimbursement tiering: A report to Congress on the Family Child Care Homes Legislative Changes Study

Reports & Papers

Family child care providers in the CACFP: Operational effects of reimbursement tiering: A report to Congress on the Family Child Care Homes Legislative Changes Study [Executive summary]

Executive Summary

Family child care home participation in the CACFP: Effects of reimbursement tiering: A report to Congress on the Family Child Care Homes Legislative Changes Study

Reports & Papers

Family child care home participation in the CACFP: Effects of reimbursement tiering: A report to Congress on the Family Child Care Homes Legislative Changes Study [Executive summary]

Executive Summary
Release: 'v1.25.0' | Built: 2023-02-16 16:36:50 EST