Newly Appointed Childcare Workers in Japanese Nursery Schools: A Study of the Difficulties Experienced with on the Job Human Relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the difficulties in human relationships experienced by newly appointed childcare workers (defined as having less than five years of experience) in Japanese nursery schools. I implemented a questionnaire survey to 126 newly appointed childcare workers (hereafter referred to as new childcare workers). The results were analyzed by a qualitative synthesis method. The results revealed seven specific circumstances in which new childcare workers experienced human relationship difficulties: ① when the new childcare worker experienced the guidance from experienced childcare workers as strict and negative; ② when the new childcare worker experienced expressions of emotions by experienced childcare workers; ③ when the new childcare worker found it difficult to consult experienced childcare workers; ④ when the new childcare worker found it difficult to take initiative; ⑤ when the new childcare worker found communicating with other childcare workers and parents as stressful; and others. The results suggest that the interactions between the new childcare worker and experienced childcare workers frequently resulted in a sense of difficulty and adversity, affecting communication and contributing to turnover of new childcare workers. It is suggested that nursery schools need to improve their consultation systems and supervision methods for new childcare workers.