A Study on the Perception of Child Care Teachers on the Necessity of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care

Objectives This study aims to provide basic data related to Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care by examining the relationship between kindergarten and daycare center institutions' perception of differences, maintenance of a dual system, and the effectiveness and necessity of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care. Methods To this end, an online survey was conducted on childcare teachers working at daycare centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and 256 copies of sincerely answered data were selected for the survey to analyze the results of childcare teachers' perception of the need for Integration of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care. Results First, the difference between the administrative agencies managing the two facilities was most recognized for the difference between kindergartens and daycare centers of childcare teachers. Second, regarding the maintenance of the distinction between kindergartens and daycare centers as they are, the awareness that parents should be able to select an appropriate institution according to the need for kindergartens and daycare centers was the highest. Third, regarding the effectiveness of the integration of kindergartens and daycare centers of childcare teachers, the highest effect was recognized that the integration of kindergartens and daycare centers could provide fair financial support to kindergartens and daycare centers. Fourth, it was found that childcare teachers generally had a positive perception of the necessity of integrating kindergartens and daycare centers. Conclusions The study found that childcare teachers' perception of the effectiveness of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care the greatest impact on the perception of the necessity of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care. The more positively they perceive the effectiveness of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care, the higher they perceive the necessity of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care, and the lower they perceive the necessity of maintaining a dual system of kindergarten and daycare institutions, the higher they perceive the need for Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care. It can be used as basic data related to Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care to guarantee the rights of infants and toddlers at the time of Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care and improve the quality of education and childcare services.