Pædagogiske konsulenter på daginstitutionsområdet i fokus: En undersøgelse af aktuelle udfordringer og nogle bud på centrale udviklingsperspektiver mht. fremtidige opgaver og rammebetingelser.

The objective of this study is to examine and gain more knowledge about the complexity of, and areas of conflict in, the work of pedagogical consultants. The study also adds insight into pedagogical and municipal processes of change. The study should be seen in the context of the numerous mergers between municipalities in 2007 and the changes in the work of the pedagogical consultant that these mergers may have entailed.

The study shows that there is a high degree of agreement between the views held by managers, consultants and daycare centre leaders with regard to the role of the pedagogical consultant.   Furthermore, the supervisory/inspection aspect of the pedagogical consultant’s work has become more systematic and the upcoming restructuring is on everyone’s agenda, however the role of the pedagogical consultant seems to be unclear in the new structures. The greatest challenges here are: implementing the new structures will create challenges both with regard to being ready for new working procedures and with regard to ensuring cooperation between personnel. Another challenge is the expected cutbacks that will put further pressure on daycare centres.  A fundamental condition for the pedagogical consultant is the dilemma between administrative and pedagogical logics. This dilemma will persist and may challenge the pedagogical consultant’s competences. On the basis of the data collected, the authors outline three scenarios for the role of the pedagogical consultant in the future. 1) More of the same, i.e. no fundamental changes to the role of the pedagogical consultant, 2) more cross-disciplinary functions and cooperation, i.e. the pedagogical consultant will work more with other specialist consultants, however they will still have a supervisory role and a primary task will continue to be acting as a discussion partner for the institutions’ leaders, 3) increased organisation on the basis of areas and districts; i.e. focus will be shifted from the individual institution to strategic cooperation with the new leaders and the municipal administration. 

The data basis is qualitative interviews with pedagogical consultants and their superiors in six municipalities. In addition to this, 148 questionnaires, completed by pedagogical consultants from all over Denmark, have been collected. Qualification seminars with 2 x 12 pedagogical consultants were held at the same time.

Reeh, J.; Lieknins, F. (2006). Pædagogiske konsulenter på daginstitutionsområdet i fokus: En undersøgelse af aktuelle udfordringer og nogle bud på centrale udviklingsperspektiver mht. fremtidige opgaver og rammebetingelser. København: FOA – Fag og Arbejde.