Being an ECEC Teacher Educator—With Love as a Dare

Abstract

This article explores the role of the lecturer as a teacher educator in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), drawing on the experiences of former ECEC students. Student perspectives offer valuable insights, especially during times of change and development in the education sector. The study is based on a qualitative, open-ended survey conducted with former ECEC students. Thematic analysis of the data reveals that students greatly value the lecturer’s approach to teaching and highlights the significance of lecturers having personal experience from working in kindergartens. The findings are discussed in light of perspectives on care and love, core values traditionally associated with Norwegian ECEC in relation to children, but perhaps less emphasized in the context of higher education and teacher training. A limitation of the study is the small sample size of 20 participants; however, the aim is not to produce generalizable results, but to offer thoughtful reflections on former students’ experiences and perceptions of the lecturer’s role in ECEC teacher education.