l Currently, childcare centers are allowed to serve a few more children in a class than the maximum number set by childcare regulations. As the concerns regarding the quality of childcare sector have increased, there is a growing need for reducing teacher-child ratio and for reinforcing the class size regulations in childcare centers. The purpose of this study was to review the adequacy of teacher-child ratio in childcare centers, and propose the measures to place teachers accordingly.
□ Methods
l Data was collected from a survey and in-depth interviews on teacher-child ratio and improvement measure for class size issues in childcare. Survey was completed by directors of childcare centers in Seoul and Gyoung-gi regions (n=148) and teachers serving children ages 3-5 in the centers (n=286). In-depth interviews were conducted with childcare center directors (n=3) and teachers (n=5).
□ Results
Perceptions on teacher-child ratio
l Regarding proper teacher-child ratio by age group, childcare center directors (D) and teachers (T) responded as follows:
- Age 3 class - 1:12 (D), 1:11 (T)
- Age 4 class - 1:15 (D), 1:14 (T)
- Age 5 class - 1:17 (D), 1:16 (T)
l For all age groups, adequate teacher-child ratio suggested by teachers was lower than the ratio suggested by directors.
l Regarding current status of serving more children than maximum number set by law, directors of public/government-funded childcare centers tended to support the idea of strictly reinforcing the class size regulations more strongly than private center directors (43.6% vs. 21.2% for Age 3; 32.7% vs. 21.3% for Age 4; and 30.9% vs. 21.3% for Age 5, respectively).
l All teacher respondents, regardless of auspices, supported the idea of strictly reinforcing class size regulations.
l Directors and teachers preferred the idea of using teacher aids assigned to a class (rather than floating teachers) (51.7% and 71.8%, respectively) who can work 3-5 hours a day (49.3% and 70.9%, respectively) all year round (76.7% and 79.1%, respectively).
□ Implications
l Reduce teacher-child ratio to improve the quality of childcare services
l Reinforce the childcare regulations regarding class size and teacher-child ratio
l Encourage childcare centers to run classes by age groups
l Effectively utilize additional human resources (e.g., teacher aids, assistants, substitute teachers) to support childcare teachers, and devise ways to reduce their excessive workload (e.g, team teaching, 2-shift system).
Table Of Contents
요약 I. 서론 Ⅱ. 연구의 배경 Ⅲ. 유아반 편성 기준에 대한 요구 분석 Ⅳ. 정책 제언 참고문헌 부록