Early Childhood Education Leaders’ Perspectives on Equity: Conceptual Understanding and Practical Implications

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The mission of Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC) is to promote democratic values in society, including equity and equality. Although equity is a strongly normatively guided goal in ECEC, its implementation varies in practice. This study examines ECEC leaders’ perceptions of equality and how these perceptions are reflected in the leadership of ECEC.
The data were collected in autumn 2024 through interviews with ECEC leaders in Finnish municipalities (N = 21) and analyzed using a phenomenographic approach. The findings indicate that understandings of equality are not limited to compliance with legislation or regulations but also extend to leaders’ personal experiences and reflections. The principle of equality is present, either consciously or unconsciously, in nearly every decision and action taken by ECEC leaders, directly or indirectly affecting children, families, and professionals.
The role of an ECEC leaders is not only to lead the implementation of value-based practices in ECEC but also to demonstrate value-based leadership. The perspectives of ECEC leaders provide valuable insights into how the principles of equality can be put into practice and promoted in early childhood education and care.

Early Childhood Education Leaders’ Perspectives on Equity: Conceptual Understanding and Practical Implications

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