Competencias profesionales en la Educación Inicial y su vínculo con la vocación y la formación ética

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the professional competencies of early childhood educators, their calling to teach, and their ethical training, taking into account Ecuador s prioritized curriculum framework. To this end, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to achieve a deeper understanding of the phenomenon under examination. The sample consisted of 11 teachers from public and private schools teaching Early Childhood Education Levels 1 and 2 and the first grade of General Basic Education; a structured questionnaire and an interview were used as research instruments. The results of the 360-degree questionnaire revealed favorable performance in the socio-emotional, ethical, personal development, logical-mathematical, and communicational dimensions, with a particular emphasis on teaching vocation and the ability to establish positive relationships within the educational process; the study concluded that vocation, ethical training, and the strengthening of professional competencies are fundamental aspects for improving teaching practice and contributing to the development of quality education during the early stages of learning.