ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a training experience for managers of public early childhood education centers in São Paulo, Brazil, highlighting the possibilities and challenges of democracy-based training programs for managers. This experience had a theoretical reference, researchers who defend democratic perspectives in education, such as Paulo Freire, Michael Apple, James Beane, Vitor Paro, and Maria Monção. Education managers were organized into work groups based on three themes: (1) the relationship between the different actors within the school (teachers, support staff, and children); (2) the relationship between school, family, and community; and (3) the internal relationship between educational managers of the centers. The selected theme was an aspect of the school that would be the main challenge for managers. From the choice of these themes, the managers created a common question for the group, made the diagnosis of the problem at school, listened to the subjects involved, read theoretical references, and elaborated proposals for action for the centers where they belonged. The work group training model was an efficient strategy because by organizing themselves into work groups, managers were able to dialogue with their peers, reflect on their practices and contexts, and contribute to the construction of democratic experiences in early childhood education.
