Browsing by Author "Teräväinen, Maiju"

The present study investigated the state of occupational well-being of early childhood education directors through their own experiences during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. In particular, the demands and resources affecting the work of the directors were identified. The theoretical framework of the research consisted of describing the dimensions of occupational well-being, leadership in early childhood education, and the effect of the progression of the coronavirus pandemic on early childhood education in Finland. The research was conducted as a qualitative study where early childhood education directors’ experiences of occupational well-being were examined through content analysis. The data used in this research was collected during the Korona tuli kylään –project. In the present study, only the thematic interviews of the Korona tuli kylään –project were investigated. 23 directors from three different municipalities, Helsinki, Vantaa and Tampere, participated in the interviews. The material was analysed using theory-guided content analysis based on the Job demands and resources –model of Demerouti et al. (2001). Directors in early childhood education identified greater amount of job demands than resources in their work during coronavirus pandemic. Due to the situation caused by the pandemic, the main demands included changes in the job description, increased workload and inadequate allocated working hours. Lack of support, emotional demands, conflicting instructions, and transition to remote work were also considered as demands, and the recovery experiences gained were not seen as sufficient. Interestingly, directors identified similar categories as resources in their work. Many of the factors affecting to the directors’ occupational well-being can be seen as resources when successful and demands when they are unsuccessful. In particular, the different support structures at work and the support received from colleagues and from the deputy director were seen as the most important resources during the coronavirus pandemic. Recovery and coronavirus-induced stagnation in activities during leisure time, as well as the possibility of working remotely were also seen to have a positive impact on occupational well-being. Additionally, clear instructions as well as the vast experience of the early childhood education director were considered to have supporting effect during the pandemic.