Croatian Early Childhood Education Teachers' Perspectives on the Quality of Environments for Children at Risk of Social Exclusion

This paperwork provides an overview of research findings of early childhood education (ECE) teachers’ opinions on the quality of existing pedagogical practice, ECE conditions and personal competencies for working with children at risk of social exclusion. Factor analysis of (self) assessment of teachers’ professional competencies identified three factors. They can be interpreted as individual focus (child and personal practice), support and modification of child behaviour, and dissemination. Working conditions and work experience have been singled out as a fundamental predictor of (self) assessment of competencies. The level of formal education, age and professional development activities are not recognised as significant predictors in assessment.