• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-74
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• 2020

Objective: This study tried to find out if a teacher education program that supports professionalism for beginning child care teachers in toddler classes is effective in professionalism, self-respect, and efficacy in teaching. Methods: The study subjects were 40 beginning child care teachers in toddler classes teaching in day care centers in Seoul, Incheon, and Gwangmyeong Gyeonggi-do. They were divided into an experimental group (20 teachers) and a comparative group (20 teachers). The collected data were applied to the SPSS 22.0 program. To find homogeneity of the two groups, a t-test was conducted. To analyze an intergroup difference, ANCOVA was conducted in the way of setting a pre-test score as a covariate. Results: The experimental group which participated in the program showed more positive effects than the comparative group in terms of professionalism, self-respect, and efficacy in teaching. Conclusion/Implications: Based on the results of this study, the program is expected to be meaningful in the field of early childhood education, and to lay the foundation for beginning child care teachers in toddler classes to become experts in their field.