Exploration of the perception and experience of childcare teachers on the intensity of childcare work

This study was conducted to understand the perceptions and experiences of childcare teachers on the intensity of childcare work. To this end, the study participants deliberately selected 19 incumbent childcare teachers according to the purpose of the study with the recommendation of the directors of daycare centers in K-gu, Seoul. Focus group interviews were conducted as a research method, and the contents of the interview were transcribed and analyzed. As a result of the study, first, the intensity of childcare work recognized and experienced by childcare teachers can be said to be the total burden of taking care of infants and toddlers in daycare centers. Factors that increase the intensity of childcare work were recognized as heavy workload due to events and evaluation preparations, a burden on childcare activities, an increase in working hours, and a ratio of teachers to children. Second, it was found that the childcare work intensity was experienced in interpersonal relationships, administrative work, and social awareness, which are relationships with infants and toddlers including the teacher himself, and with colleagues and parents. This study aims to contribute to the establishment of childcare policies to improve the quality of childcare by providing basic data on the establishment of a new concept and the development of measurement tools for childcare teachers.