Preschool teachers' views on competence in the context of home and preschool collaboration

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyse and discuss preschool teachers' views regarding competence within their profession in the context of home and preschool collaboration. The question addressed is as follows: In what situations do preschool teachers perceive that their competence becomes visible for parents? The results, based on interviews with 30 preschool teachers, show that preschool teachers work consciously to draw attention to specific competencies related to children's learning and development and the preschool curriculum. The ability to establish dialogue with parents and gain their trust is seen as particularly important for establishing and maintaining collaboration between preschool and the home. Furthermore, the participants recognise that parents seek their competence in daily matters concerning the child's well-being. The competencies that preschool teachers emphasise and those they believe parents ask for do not, therefore, always coincide. The results of this study can contribute to a better understanding of the prerequisites for preschool–home collaboration.

Keywords:

• preschool
• home
• collaboration
• competence

Notes on contributors

Tuula Vuorinen is a PhD-student and lecturer at the School of Education, Culture and Communication, Mðlardalens University, Sweden. Her research interest focuses on home and preschool collaboration.

Anette Sandberg is a professor at the School of Education, Culture and Communication, Mälardalens University, Sweden. Her research focuses on children's learning and participation, play and play contexts in preschool and preschool teacher's competence.

Sonja Sheridan is a professor at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning, Gothenburg University, Sweden. Her research focuses on pedagogical quality in relation to conditions created for children's learning in preschool and preschool teacher's competence.

Pia Williams is an associate professor at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning, Gothenburg University, Sweden. Her research interest is oriented towards Early Childhood Education with special focus on conditions for childhood, learning and development in different educational contexts, such as preschool.