IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES IN GEORGIA (DIAGNOSTIC SELF-ASSESSMENT PROCESS OF PRIVATE KINDERGARTENS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF TEACHING STAFF)

Abstract

Improving the quality of early childhood education services in Georgia is hampered by many challenges. The most important challenge in this direction is the educational staff, who must be well trained, supported in the direction of professional development and highly qualified to be able to introduce child­-centered approaches and methodologies that would effectively support child development and well­being, as well as implement the necessary changes for quality improvement. To support professional development, practical training and retraining, pre­school education programs should be available for early childhood educators (at the current stage, a total of 5 educational institutions across Georgia have been accredited on these trainings/ accreditation is in progress).

External quality assurance is also an important process in improving the quality of early education services in Georgia. It is worth noting that in this direction in 2023, the process of supporting the diagnostic self­-assessment of kindergartens started in Georgia, the study of which is an important innovation.

Therefore, using secondary data analysis, as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods, the process of diagnostic self­-ssessment of private kindergartens aimed at improving the quality of early education services in Georgia is studied and challenges are identified; The existing needs for the professional development of the teaching staff were identified as well.