교사 1인당 아동 수 개선 이후 보육교직원의 인식 변화: 서울시 어린이집을 중심으로

Changes in Childcare Staff’s Perceptions Following Improvements in Teacher-to-Child Ratios: Focusing on Daycare Centers in Seoul

Objective: This study aimed to examine childcare staff(directors and teachers) perceptions of daycare center operations following improvements in teacher-child ratios. Methods: A total of 449 directors and 424 teachers from daycare centers completed a questionnaire. The survey assessed multiple aspects, including teacher-child interactions, implementation of childcare curricula, child development, ommunication with caregivers, and the working conditions of childcare professionals. Results: Challenges related to low enrollment rates were identified. After improvements in teacher-child ratios, statistically significant differences were found in teacher-child interaction, curriculum implementation, and child development, depending on daycare center type and enrollment rate. Reported positive operational changes included higher-quality interactions, stronger support for play, and fewer safety incidents. Conclusion/Implications: This study highlighted challenges associated with low enrollment and emphasized staff members' positive perceptions of improved teacher-child ratios in the context of forthcoming ECEC(Early Childhood Education and Care) integration. The findings offer meaningful insights for shaping future policies on teacher deployment within a unified system.