Current situation and influencing factors of each turnover of kindergarten teachers – a questionnaire survey

Abstract

ObjectiveFrequent teacher turnover may damage the development of teachers and the regular operation of kindergartens. This original research presented kindergarten teachers’ first, second, and third turnover rates and occurrence times. This research analyzed the relationship between socio-demographic variables and the varying frequency of kindergarten teacher turnover. These data were used to investigate the characteristics of first, second, and third kindergarten turnover. This research evaluated kindergarten teachers’ occupational ambition, emotional attachment, and self-efficacy. Likewise, this research also analyzed the social context, organizational support, management mechanism, reward, and occupational stress of kindergarten. These data were used to determine the key factors affecting kindergarten teachers’ turnover.MethodsThis research recruited 1,118 kindergarten teachers (mean age = 31.67, sd = 5.02; 3.85% male, 96.14% female) from China. Based on the existing scales, this research developed the Questionnaire of Kindergarten Teachers’ Turnover and Influencing Factors for the survey. Kindergarten teachers reported basic information and the impact factors of their first, second, and third turnover through online questionnaires. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between socio-demographic variables and different frequencies of kindergarten teacher turnover. The binary logistic regression explored the eight factors affecting kindergarten teachers’ first, second, and third turnover.ResultsThe results showed that 43.65% of kindergarten teachers had resigned. In detail, 25.60% of kindergarten teachers resigned once, 10.64% of kindergarten teachers resigned twice, and 8.41% of kindergarten teachers resigned thrice. Gender and marital status were significantly correlated with the three frequencies of kindergarten teacher turnover. Occupational stress, reward, management mechanisms, and ambition consistently affected kindergarten teachers’ first, second, and third turnover.ConclusionThe relevant management departments should pay attention to the high turnover rate of kindergarten teachers and put forward more strategies to improve their stability. Women and married can be favored in the recruitment of kindergarten teachers. It is crucial to reduce pressure and improve rewards for kindergarten teachers. Also, kindergartens should provide the space to display teachers’ talents and improve management mechanisms. These results provide empirical support for proposing effective policies to promote the stability of kindergarten teachers’ construction.