ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on professionalism – what does this mean for early years practitioners and why is both a consensus of professionalism in the field and a personal understanding of professionalism important for ECEs? Who is entitled to be called a professional and what constitutes her or his professional knowledge? The chapter aims to develop your knowledge of your own professionalism and ability to articulate this professionalism for yourself and to other people. Reflection is an important part of this process as you will be thinking about what contributes to your professional practice and the quality of provision. The chapter explores definitions of professionalism, professionalisation and professional identity for ECEs, drawing on Brock’s (2006, 2011, 2013) research in exploring dimensions of professionalism. Above all, why is all this important for you?
