Accompanying early childhood professional reflection in Quebec: a case study

Abstract

This article explores the views of professionals from the Centre for Assistance and Support to Initiatives, Organisations, and Professionals in Early Childhood (CASIOPE) and its member organizations on how reflective practice in early childhood professional learning is understood, put into practice, and evaluated. Findings from this case study reveal that CASIOPE used principles of constructivist learning theories to develop their own reflective process, but that this process is understood incompletely and variably by the majority of its members. Findings are presented in the context of a current struggle to define early childhood professional learning between, on the one hand, a means of improving programme quality, and, on the other hand, a right to which all early childhood professionals are entitled. This study suggests that, in practice, both goals are important to childcare administrators in Montreal, while CASIOPE’s staff members prioritize building relationships, helping people, adapting their services to the needs of all those involved, and professional empowerment.

Keywords:

• early childhood professional development
• professional learning
• critical reflection
• reflexive practice

Acknowledgement

This research was generously supported by a publication scholarship from the Équipe de recherche qualité éducative des services de garde et petite enfance.