Gaps and Gains: A Needs and Resource Assessment of Early Childhood Educators in Public Schools

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Title: Gaps and Gains: A Needs and Resource Assessment of Early Childhood Educators in Public Schools
Language: English
Authors: Joel I. Alvarez (ORCID 0000-0002-2774-614X), Eunice T. Galman (ORCID 0009-0000-7151-4285)
Source: Educational Process: International Journal. Article e2025573 2025 19.
Availability: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Grade 1
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Teachers, Public School Teachers, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Self Esteem, Educational Resources, Resource Allocation, Teaching Load, Educational Needs, Faculty Development, Needs Assessment, Teaching Conditions, Teacher Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Philippines
ISSN: 2147-0901
2564-8020
Abstract: Background/purpose: This study investigates the perceived competencies, resource availability, and systemic challenges faced by early childhood educators (ECEs) in Philippine public schools. The research aims to identify gaps in professional development, resource adequacy, and teaching conditions to inform policy interventions that can enhance the quality of early childhood education. Materials/methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative open-ended questions across diverse regions. Data were analyzed to assess educators' confidence levels, resource accessibility, and systemic issues such as workload and funding disparities. Results: Findings reveal that educators feel highly confident in key teaching skills, particularly in mentorship and developmentally appropriate strategies, but identify needs for improved behavior management and technology training. Resources such as instructional guides and health supplies are generally available, though outdoor play equipment and manipulatives are limited. Access to learning materials and outdoor spaces is adequate but requires enhancement. Challenges include workload, resource shortages, behavioral diversity, and parental involvement. Strengths include culturally relevant visual aids and safe learning environments. Conclusion: The study concludes that while Philippine public school ECEs possess strong foundational competencies and resource bases, targeted improvements in professional development, resource allocation, and systemic support are essential. Implementing context-specific policies can foster more effective, inclusive, and engaging early childhood learning environments.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1491172
Database: ERIC
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  Availability: 0
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  Data: Gaps and Gains: A Needs and Resource Assessment of Early Childhood Educators in Public Schools
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Joel+I%2E+Alvarez%22">Joel I. Alvarez</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2774-614X">0000-0002-2774-614X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eunice+T%2E+Galman%22">Eunice T. Galman</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7151-4285">0009-0000-7151-4285</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Process%3A+International+Journal%22"><i>Educational Process: International Journal</i></searchLink>. Article e2025573 2025 19.
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  Data: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 24
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Kindergarten%22">Kindergarten</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Primary+Education%22">Primary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+1%22">Grade 1</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Childhood+Teachers%22">Early Childhood Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+School+Teachers%22">Public School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Kindergarten%22">Kindergarten</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+1%22">Grade 1</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Esteem%22">Self Esteem</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Resources%22">Educational Resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resource+Allocation%22">Resource Allocation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Load%22">Teaching Load</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Needs%22">Educational Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Faculty+Development%22">Faculty Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Needs+Assessment%22">Needs Assessment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Conditions%22">Teaching Conditions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Philippines%22">Philippines</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2147-0901<br />2564-8020
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background/purpose: This study investigates the perceived competencies, resource availability, and systemic challenges faced by early childhood educators (ECEs) in Philippine public schools. The research aims to identify gaps in professional development, resource adequacy, and teaching conditions to inform policy interventions that can enhance the quality of early childhood education. Materials/methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative open-ended questions across diverse regions. Data were analyzed to assess educators' confidence levels, resource accessibility, and systemic issues such as workload and funding disparities. Results: Findings reveal that educators feel highly confident in key teaching skills, particularly in mentorship and developmentally appropriate strategies, but identify needs for improved behavior management and technology training. Resources such as instructional guides and health supplies are generally available, though outdoor play equipment and manipulatives are limited. Access to learning materials and outdoor spaces is adequate but requires enhancement. Challenges include workload, resource shortages, behavioral diversity, and parental involvement. Strengths include culturally relevant visual aids and safe learning environments. Conclusion: The study concludes that while Philippine public school ECEs possess strong foundational competencies and resource bases, targeted improvements in professional development, resource allocation, and systemic support are essential. Implementing context-specific policies can foster more effective, inclusive, and engaging early childhood learning environments.
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  Label: Abstractor
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  Data: As Provided
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  Label: Entry Date
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  Data: 2025
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1491172
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 24
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early Childhood Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early Childhood Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Kindergarten
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade 1
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Esteem
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Resources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Resource Allocation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Load
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Needs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Faculty Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Needs Assessment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Conditions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Philippines
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Gaps and Gains: A Needs and Resource Assessment of Early Childhood Educators in Public Schools
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: Joel I. Alvarez
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            NameFull: Eunice T. Galman
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              Y: 2025
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              Value: 19
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