Early childhood teachers' professionalism: a study carried out in Bologna province.

The early childhood teachers professionalism has become particularly relevant at European level, both in academic debates and in policy making discussions, in recent years as a consequence of growing awareness on the importance of quality services for young children. The preliminary findings of a study carried-out with pre-school teachers working in the Bologna province will be presented. The main aim of the research is to reflect on possible paths of professional development starting from teacherrs' views on professionalism. The process of meaning making that creates new pedagogical knowledge will be explored across different themes: supporting teacher professionalism by recognizing the specific nature of knowledge that informs their thinking, creating opportunities for professional growth by devloping strategies to welcome new teachers, enhancing teacher professionalism during their first years practice through participatory learning.