Browsing by Author "Tervo, Anna"

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine reasons for the different interpretations of multiprofessionalism as well as how the labor unions describe the tasking in multiprofessional teams in day care centers. One area of interest was also what kinds of special skills different unions highlight as the forte of their members. This study helps us better understand what poses challenges at the moment and what should be the focal points to achieve a clearer division of labour. Methods. This study has been conducted as a qualitative materialbased study. The material was compiled between fall 2017 and spring 2018. It was gathered from materials published by different unions that promote the interest of kindergarten teachers and -nurses. The material was narrowed to publications that editorialize the division of labour and special skills. The publications were reviewed by the method of content analysis. Results and conclusions. All the labour unions were advocating multiprofessionalism in early childhood education although there didn't appear to be a clear consensus what were the core competences of different occupational groups. There appeared to be some lobbying based on negative presumptions. Despite of differences in opinion there was some common ground. Common shared view was that kindergarten teachers hold the main responsibility regarding the planning and evaluation of pedagogic activities whereas kindergarten nurses trained as practical nurses were responsible for medicinal care. The value of pedagogic proved to be divisive among unions. Where Kindergarten Teachers Union in Finland praise the pedagogic knowledge as enhancing the quality of early childhood education the the Finnish Union of Practical Nurses fears it takes away from the nursing know-how necessary with the youngest children. Discussions about multiprofessionalism and clarifying the division of labour are ongoing but at least for the moment it escalates in to pointless blaming and comparing.