Barnehagen som lærende organisasjon.

This study examines the conditions that must be present at daycare centres in order for it to be considered a learning organisation. The study asks the following research questions: What reflections do social pedagogues have on health, well-being and stability? How important is happiness and humour at the workplace? What do kindergarten staff experience as important for the well-being and development of the kindergarten? 

A vast majority of the people interviewed stress that the attitude and work ethics of the staff can impact absence due to sickness. Work ethics can refer to the work ethic of the individual employee and to a sense of responsibility and community to the job itself. Luck, culture and attitudes are mentioned as aspects that influence absence due to sickness. There is a connection between the people who assess themselves to have a high level of humour, and those who believe that the manager emphasises a sense of community and belonging. Data shows that positive feelings in the social interaction are important at kindergarten, and that happiness and humour are important in everyday life. Furthermore, it is important for the development of the kindergarten that the employee group is stable, i.e. that there is not much absenteeism due to sickness or staff turnover.      

This study has a phenomenological background. It is based on an empirical study of what kindergarten staff perceive as a meaningful work situation, and what can stimulate to growth and development at the kindergarten. The concept ‘long-term work attendance’ (Johnsson, Lugn, & Rexed, 2006) is used to select the employees
for the study, who have not had more than 10 days of absence from work during the past two years. Qualitative data collection was carried out consisting of four focus group interviews with a total of 17 people. In addition, a questionnaire survey was carried out among all social pedagogues at five daycare centres.

Moe, M., & Søbstad, F. (2009). Barnehagen som lærende organisasjon ; Oslo. FoU i praksis. S. 263-274 Oslo.