Willing and unable or willing and able? Insights from an evaluation of a mentoring training programme for early childhood teachers in Ireland

ABSTRACT

Many early childhood teachers mentor pre-service teachers engaging in practicum within their settings. Given their significance in early childhood teacher preparation, mentors must be prepared for their mentoring role (Balduzzi and Lazzarri 2015). However, while early childhood teachers may be willing to mentor, they may be ill-equipped for this role. This paper draws upon participants’ responses to an evaluation of a mentoring training programme in Ireland. Findings indicate that participation in the programme resulted in greater knowledge and understanding of mentoring processes, approaches, skills, roles and responsibilities; increased confidence in participants’ ability to mentor; enhanced critical reflection; ability to share learning; improved professional practice, and willingness to embrace communities of practice. From a policy perspective, a mentoring policy concerning a continuum of early childhood teacher education, financial support and time in lieu is essential to enable mentors to fulfil their mentoring role in supporting the professional formation of pre-service teachers.

KEYWORDS:

• Early childhood
• practicum
• mentoring

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Programme development/roll-out was funded through the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education via the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funding in Higher Education. The training was therefore offered free to participants

2 There are 31 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) throughout Ireland, which offer a variety of services locally including, advice on setting up an early childhood service, information sessions, networking opportunities, and advice and support on applying for Government funding.

3 The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a 10-level system used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system. The minimum Level required to work in the ECEC sector is Level 5. Degree qualifications are categorised as Level 7 (ordinary), Level 8 (Honours). A Master’s Degree is Level 9, while a PhD is Level 10.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Ireland.