Collective Ethical Reflections in Response to Challenges in Pedagogical Work

The work of pedagogues in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) involves managing ethical dilemmas and priorities as an integral part of professional competence. In recent decades, the growing emphasis on measuring children’s learning outcomes and implementing tools to evaluate and regulate pedagogues’ work has influenced how they navigate professional dilemmas. Difficulties in recruiting and retaining pedagogues in ECEC are linked to high work pressure, emotional distress and a lack of professional support. The chapter is based on empirical examples to explore how political priorities tend to individualise the management of ethical dilemmas, often rendering them invisible. The examples illustrate how pedagogues strive to uphold the professional values they consider most important. The chapter examines how workshops fostering collective reflection on ethical priorities and everyday dilemmas can create a supportive learning environment for pedagogues. The chapter concludes that providing time and space for collective reflection on ethical dilemmas can enhance the working environment in ECEC and promote ethically sound professional practices.