FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF TEACHERS’ ASSISTANTS: REALITIES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article emphasizes the readiness of assistant educators to interact with preschool children and partnerships with teachers in the school, in particular, emphasizes the importance of their compliance with their job responsibilities. The essence of the concept of “professional competence” based on the analysis of scientific research is revealed. It is specified that the problem of preparing a future educator for professional activity is studied by Ukrainian scientists: G. Belenka, Y. Volynets, L. Kozak, O. Kovalenko, L. Mashkina, T. Ponomarenko, N. Stadnik, T. Telychko and others. However, unfortunately, there is no research on the training of assistant educators to work with children in preschool education. The scientific novelty of the study is that it is raises the issue of forming the professional competence of assistant educators. It is determined that the professional competence of the assistant educator is his readiness for theoretical pedagogical knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice. The results of monitoring the activities of assistant educators and their performance of their duties are presented. It has been identified that some caregivers are unaware of their job responsibilities, and some do not follow them or perform poorly. The results of the questionnaire of assistant educators on readiness to work in a preschool institution are presented and the level of their professional competence is determined. It is noted that almost 50% of assistant educators have a low level of professional competence, 35% – a medium level, and 15% have a high level. We specify that the level of assistants of educators who study in pedagogical free educational institutions has a high level. The directions of formation of professional competence of assistant educators motivational, informational (cognitive), practical (activity). In order to implement these areas, a website was developed. The prospects of further research aimed at cooperation with the heads of preschool education institutions to encourage educators’ assistants to form professional competence (admission to a pedagogical institution of higher education, involvement in pedagogical work); to improve the information side of the website; to develop new blocks (headings); to determine the effectiveness of the developed website.