Educating the Future Educators: The Quest for Professionalism in Early Childhood Education

This article examines the implications of recent and proposed changes to the college-based training of practitioners in early childhood education (ECE). These changes will change the length of courses by shortening them and, therefore, the depth of teaching that students will experience on a college-based course. The links between level of education and improved outcomes for children are discussed. This colloquium explores how these changes may impact on the professionalization of the early childhood workforce. Definitions of professionalism found in the early childhood literature and the notion of the professional ECE student are explored. The current barriers to viewing ECE as a profession and the ongoing professionalism of the field are discussed, as are possible solutions to removing the barriers.