ERIC Number: EJ1472268
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Dec
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1976-5681
EISSN: EISSN-2288-6729
Available Date: 2025-05-24
Understanding Family Childcare Educators' Experiences in Alberta, Canada: A Focus Group Study
International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, v19 Article 4 2025
Given the unique challenges of offering childcare in home-based settings, specialized support is needed to help family childcare educators offer high-quality early learning and childcare. The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the unique needs of home-based educators and identify supports based on educator and consultant perspectives. This study addresses the current gap within the Canadian early learning and childcare system in understanding family childcare educators' experiences by asking the following questions: (1) What are the experiences of family childcare educators in Alberta? and (2) From educator and consultant perspectives, what are the factors that facilitate the ability to provide high-quality childcare in family childcare programs? A descriptive qualitative engaged research approach was used in this study. In focus groups, 26 experienced educators and consultants shared their perceptions of facilitators and barriers to high-quality family childcare. Our study highlights three areas for growth in Alberta's childcare sector: the need for professional development targeted to the family childcare field, increased access to community connections and resources, and agency support enabling educators to take breaks. Family childcare educators have unique workplace strengths and challenges and require support from families, professional support systems, and policy makers to provide high-quality early learning and childcare.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Child Care, Child Caregivers, Early Childhood Teachers, Early Childhood Education, Family Environment, Teaching Experience, Teacher Qualifications, Faculty Development, Access to Information, Educational Resources, Agency Role, Teaching Conditions
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada