Emotional Labour in the Work of Early Childhood Educators

This book brings together cutting-edge, international research exploring the often-overlooked emotional labour of early childhood educators. Spanning diverse national contexts, the book reveals how emotional labour is shaped by organizational climates, cultural values, and broader systems – moving beyond traditional, individual-level analyses.

Featuring qualitative methodologies, the collection offers nuanced, culturally informed perspectives on emotional labour, as well as practical insights to support organisations, leaders and educators in managing the complex emotional demands of their work. Theoretical contributions and redefinitions further challenge conventional thinking, positioning emotional labour as skilled work central to early childhood education.

Essential reading for researchers, educators and policymakers, this book offers fresh insights into a critical yet understudied dimension of educational practice.