This study was conducted to explore the early childhood education workforce quality and
training program in Finland to draw future direction for the development of Korean early
childhood education staff system. Through the literature review, the ideology and historical
development of ECEC system in brief, the qualification and initial education program for
early childhood educational staff, and continuing education program were investigated. In
Finland, full integration between early childhood education and care sectors was achieved,
and in the process of integration, there existed the social consensus for the importance of
the teachers’ professionalism. As a result, Finland improved the qualification level of
kindergarten teachers to the bachelor degree and integrated the initial education program for
kindergarten teachers into the national system of teacher training program in universities.
Also, practical training for students was emphasized to develop reflective thinking and
consumer-oriented continuing education system was provided to develop the professionalism
of early childhood educational staff.