Special education teacher in early childhood education and care

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a comprehensive special education teacher in early childhood education and care. I am responsible for three daycare centres where I observe and assess children’s activities and instruct children who need support. I advise daycare centre staff on how to work with children who need support. I also manage administrative affairs, such as preparing support decisions and referring children to examinations. All this requires multiprofessional cooperation and contact with children’s families.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I was only a child when I decided that I would become an early childhood education teacher. The decision was influenced by my own preschool teacher who made a great impression on me, who I thought was empathetic and a wonderful person in all respects.

My dream came true because I got in to study at Helsinki Kindergarten Teacher Education College. When I first started working at a daycare centre as a kindergarten teacher, I always hoped that my group would not include special needs children. My mind was changed when I later had a group with two children with intellectual disabilities. I realised that working with children who need support is my thing. Getting along with them requires being informed and having the right kids of methods and attitudes.

Describe your typical working day or week.

When I come to work in the morning, I first check if I have any important emails or other messages. After that, I usually participate in group activities at the daycare centre and also lead small groups. While doing so, I observe how the children act in the groups.

When the children go outside, I go through their affairs with other members of staff. I always have my lunch with the children, because the best conversations often happen during mealtimes when it is calmer. At the same time, I can set a good example for the children.

After lunch, the children have resting time, which is when I attend different kinds of meetings. I also try to take my coffee break with other staff members because important conversations about work often come up there. In the afternoon, I usually always do paperwork, and my day can also include conversations with children’s parents, for example.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

All three of my daycare centres are located within a radius of three kilometres, so moving between them is quick. I mainly work indoors, but I spend some time outside as well.

My working day starts between 7:30 and 8:30 and ends between 15:00 and 17:00, depending on what my work involves that day.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

The most important thing in this profession is acknowledging that everyone is different and respecting everyone, both adults and children. In this work, it is important to share information about how temperament, genes, environment and many other factors make children different, and we have to accept them as they are. It is also important to note that children’s behaviour is also influenced by adults’ actions and attitudes.

Sometimes it is a good idea to be bold and try new ways of doing things, you might find something that is an even better solution. A suitably relaxed attitude and a sense of humour will help you enjoy working at a daycare centre.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best thing is to see children learn. It is wonderful to notice that your actions have had an impact. A functional work community is very important because even one employee’s negative attitude will affect everyone.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

Daycare centres operate under municipalities and cities. Decision-makers do not always have a realistic idea of how their decisions affect children’s everyday lives. In that case, us ECEC professionals are responsible for standing up for the children and communicating our concerns. But sometimes we have to accept that we cannot influence everything.

The level of noise and hurry can sometimes feel stressful. Children have become more and more restless over the years, and it is increasingly difficult for them to concentrate. When you work at a daycare centre, it is important to recognise when the work starts to weigh you down too much so that the work community can come together and figure out what could be done.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a teacher in early childhood education?

I would recommend that you first get some work experience in the field before applying to a university to study for a special education degree in childhood education and care. Studies give a good basis for the work, but experience gives you more confidence.

This profession requires flexibility, determination and knowledge of aspects such as the different stages of a child’s development, pedagogy, society and multiculturalism. Working with families is easier if you can also respect the parents’ views. We can usually work for the good of the children by talking openly.

How do you see the future of your profession?

I hope that we can get more qualified staff for daycare centres, because there is plenty of work to do. This requires that decision-makers listen to us and do not undermine professionals’ working conditions.