Increasing competitiveness and professional growth of the head of a preschool educational organization during the master's degree

Research problem and justification of its relevance. The modern domestic preschool education system is in dire need of leaders with a high level of professional qualities and specific personal characteristics. In the preschool education system, there is a discrepancy between the need to have competitive managers of a new type who have a flexible approach, stress tolerance, mobility and willingness to take risks and implement innovations in a balanced manner, and the current system of training and advanced training of kindergarten managers. This contradiction has led to the need to train managers of preschool education for master’s degree programs in the conditions of a pedagogical institute as a structural unit of a classical university.The goal of research. To theoretically substantiate the possibility and necessity of studying in a master’s degree program in management as a factor in professional growth and increasing the competitiveness of a kindergarten (preschool educational organization) director.Methodology. To achieve the purpose of the study, a comprehensive methodological approach was used, including systemic, activity-based and axiological approaches. The basis of the research is a systematic approach that considers the process of improving the skills of kindergarten managers as an integrated system, including educational organizations implementing master’s programs. This approach allows you to analyze the interaction between the elements of the system, identify relationships and dependencies, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of master’s degree studies in the context of professional development. Within the framework of the activity approach, attention is focused on the active position of managers themselves as direct participants in the system of continuing education, contributing to the development of professional competence. The axiological approach makes it possible to assess the values and motives of managers in the process of studying for a master’s degree.Results. It is proved that master’s degree studies contribute to professional growth and increase the competitiveness of the kindergarten head. The interrelation of the socio-professional status of heads and senior kindergarten teachers with a high level of competitiveness, the desire for professional growth through graduate studies, personal qualities such as dedication, independence and the desire for continuing education is confirmed. The characteristics of managerial training in the field of preschool education were identified and described. The applied aspect of the issue under discussion can be implemented through the development of a system of professional training of students for managerial activities in the field of preschool education within the framework of the master’s degree of a pedagogical university, which is a structural subdivision of a classical university.