High Turnover Among Early Childhood Teachers Affects Quality of Care and Development

Strategic Insights -

Research has shown that high turnover among early childhood teachers (ECTs) has a significant impact on children's quality of care and development, particularly at a vital stage. A study conducted by researchers from Inha University investigated the antecedents of ECTs' turnover intention and the buffers against it. The study found that work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) increase ECTs' turnover intention by undermining their work engagement. However, the researchers also discovered that career calling can buffer the deleterious effects of WFC and FWC on work engagement.

Key Takeaways:

  • High turnover among ECTs affects children's quality of care and development, particularly at a vital stage.
  • Work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) increase ECTs' turnover intention by undermining their work engagement.
  • Career calling can buffer the deleterious effects of WFC and FWC on work engagement.
  • Kindergarten teachers' work engagement significantly mediates the relationship between FWC and turnover intention.
  • Career calling moderates the relationship between work engagement and WFC, but not FWC.
  • Policymakers should recruit teachers with a strong career calling to provide a buffer from WFC and facilitate sustained work engagement among ECTs.
  • The study suggests that WFC and FWC have differential roles in ECTs' work engagement and turnover intention.
  • The study provides evidence that career calling is an important factor in reducing turnover intention among ECTs.

Statistics:

  • The study surveyed 321 South Korean kindergarten teachers.
  • The study found that work engagement significantly mediated the relationship between FWC and turnover intention (p 0.05).
  • The study found that career calling moderated the relationship between work engagement and WFC (p 0.05).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Findings from Inha University Describe Advances in Pediatrics (Kindergarten Teachers' Work-family/family-work Conflict and Turnover Intention: Mediation of Work Engagement and Moderation of Career Calling). Education Letter. August 6, 2025; p 302.
  • Psychology in the Schools. Kindergarten Teachers' Work-family/family-work Conflict and Turnover Intention: Mediation of Work Engagement and Moderation of Career Calling. 2025.