Preschool Teaching

• Introduction to the Department

– Year of establishment, development and change process, mission and vision

The Department of Preschool Education, within the Faculty of Education at Hasan Kalyoncu University, was established in the 2015-2016 academic year to meet the need for qualified teachers in preschool education in Turkey. Since its foundation, the program has aimed to contribute to the strengthening of preschool education in our country and produced its first graduates in the 2018-2019 academic year. In the period since its establishment, the department has undergone a significant process of development and change in terms of both its teaching staff and its educational content. The curriculum was restructured in 2018 within the framework of the teacher training programs updated by the Council of Higher Education, and the updated curriculum came into effect as of the Fall Semester of 2021-2022. In this direction, the program has been given a structure that includes pedagogical formation, subject-area knowledge and general culture courses in a balanced manner. In addition, the program has continuously renewed itself and sustained its development through practices such as double major opportunities, the opening of graduate programs, the expansion of international exchange programs such as Erasmus+, the IB PYP certificate program, community contribution projects, the internalization of accreditation processes, feedback and advising systems designed with sensitivity to student needs, career center support, and graduate tracking studies. This development process also encompasses the improvement efforts carried out in line with the evaluations conducted by EPDAD in 2020-2023 and 2026. In this context, a student-centered, contemporary and high-quality teaching environment has been built through systematic work in the areas of education and training, quality assurance, internationalization and community contribution.

The vision of the Department is to be a pioneering academic body that emphasizes the importance of early childhood education in Turkey and around the world, produces scientific studies and projects aimed at improving the quality of this field, and contributes to the awareness level of families and society through the activities and programs it develops. In addition, carrying Turkey's accumulated knowledge in the field of preschool education to the international level and closely following developments around the world in order to integrate these gains into the country's education system are among its main goals.

The mission of the Department is to train well-equipped teachers who closely follow the requirements of the age, can think on a research basis, possess professional competence, adopt child-centered approaches, and can communicate effectively with families and society. In this direction, its undergraduate and graduate programs are continuously updated, and it is aimed that students graduate as individuals competent in child development, educational practices, family education and contemporary teaching methods.

As of the 2025-2026 academic year, the academic staff of the Department of Preschool Education consists of 3 professors, 5 assistant professors and 2 research assistants, offering students a strong teaching environment that integrates theoretical knowledge with practice, accompanied by a staff of experts in the field.

Post-Graduation Employment Opportunities

– MEB appointments, private sector, academic career, etc.

Ministry of National Education Appointments

Teachers who graduate from the Preschool Teaching program can work in various educational institutions within the Ministry of National Education, such as public kindergartens, nursery classes attached to primary schools and special education nursery classes, as well as daycare and childcare centers and private kindergartens. In addition, when needed, preschool teachers can also be assigned to different units such as guidance and research centers, hospital classrooms and educational units for disadvantaged groups. Preschool Teaching is one of the branches with the highest intake in terms of quotas in AGS teacher appointments. In recent years, as the importance and prevalence of early childhood education has increased, the need for preschool teachers in public schools has also risen markedly. In the teacher appointments made in 2024 and 2025, preschool teaching was one of the branches allocated the highest quotas.

Preschool Teaching is one of the most in-demand teaching fields in both the public and private sectors. In AGS appointments, quotas of thousands of positions are opened every year, and there is a chance of appointment with lower scores compared to other branches.

Private Sector Opportunities

Teaching in private kindergartens and daycare centers

Working in the preschool units of special education institutions

Working in consultancy centers operating in the field of early childhood education

Establishing and running one's own educational institution such as a kindergarten, daycare center or child development center

Being able to work independently by specializing through certificate programs in specific areas such as family education, play therapy, creative drama and Montessori

Academic Career Opportunities

Working at universities as a research assistant, lecturer or faculty member by completing master's and doctoral degrees

Contributing to the field through scientific research and publications

Other Fields

They can take part in the child development, family counseling and social service units of municipalities, and in projects aimed at preschool education.

They can take an active role in projects carried out by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for early childhood, disadvantaged groups of children and family support programs.

They can be employed in children's homes, child support centers, daycare centers and similar institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

They can work as experts or trainers in organizations that produce projects in the field of early childhood, develop educational materials and carry out public awareness activities.

c) Academic Staff of the Department

– Number of faculty members, their titles, areas of expertise and research

Academic Staff of the Department

Our department has 3 Professors, 5 Assistant Professors and 2 Research Assistants.

• Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Darıca
• Prof. Dr. Yaşare Aktaş Arnas
• Prof. Dr. Şermin Metin
• Asst. Prof. Esra Akgül
• Asst. Prof. Esra Akgül
• Asst. Prof. Mehmet Ceylan
• Asst. Prof. Mihriban Özcan
• Asst. Prof. Büşra Bilir Çevik
• Asst. Prof. Z. Damla Kalyenci
• Res. Asst. Şeyda Korkmazgil
• Res. Asst. Emine Betül Karabıyık

The areas of expertise of the faculty members serving in the program demonstrate that the preschool teaching undergraduate program is conducted in a versatile and high-quality manner. In this context;

• Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Darıca in nature education, art and creativity in early childhood,
• Prof. Dr. Yaşare Aktaş Arnas in mathematics, drama and parent education in early childhood,
• Prof. Dr. Şermin Metin in technology, coding education and design-based thinking in early childhood,
• Asst. Prof. Esra Akgül in inclusive education and assessment in early childhood,
• Asst. Prof. Mehmet Ceylan in mathematics, science and coding education in early childhood, Asst. Prof. Mihriban Özcan in early literacy education in early childhood,
• Asst. Prof. Büşra Bilir Çevik in mathematics and innovative thinking in early childhood,
• and Asst. Prof. Z. Damla Kalyenci in technology, coding education and design-based thinking in early childhood, have specialized in their respective fields.
• Res. Asst. Şeyda Korkmazgil continues her work on creativity, art, transmodality and environmental education in early childhood,
• and Res. Asst. Emine Betül Karabıyık continues her work on risk, risky play, self-regulation and executive function in early childhood.

The fact that the faculty members have different areas of expertise and research contributes to the program being conducted with an interdisciplinary approach covering the fundamental components of early childhood education.

d) Student Activities, Societies and Projects

– Academic, social, cultural and volunteer-based activities

There are numerous student societies operating within our university. These societies allow students to come together in line with their interests and contribute to both their academic and social development. Students of the Preschool Teaching program also take active roles in these societies, carrying out various activities particularly within the Önce Çocuk Society and the Genç TEMA Society. Through these societies, students carry out scientific, cultural and social activities under the guidance of faculty members; they find the opportunity to develop their professional skills, gain social awareness and reinforce competencies such as teamwork. The academic advising of the Önce Çocuk Society is undertaken by Asst. Prof. Z. Damla Kalyenci, and the advising of the Genç TEMA Society by Asst. Prof. Büşra Bilir Çevik.

In the Preschool Teaching program, collaborations are carried out throughout the academic term with various associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and preschool education institutions. In this context, our students take an active role in social, cultural and volunteer-based activities and carry out various works in areas such as children's rights, inclusiveness in early childhood, environmental awareness and social sensitivity. Course content is also structured to encourage students to participate in such activities and develop a sense of social responsibility. In addition, our students gain academic research and practice experience by developing projects on various scientific research platforms, notably TÜBİTAK University Students Research Projects. In this process, effective advising and guidance are provided by our faculty members in a way that supports both their academic and social development.

e) Practice and Research Centers and Collaborations

– Practice schools, protocols, project and internship opportunities

The Preschool Teaching program at Hasan Kalyoncu University prioritizes practice-based teaching in order to support students' professional development. In this direction, Hasan Kalyoncu University collaborates with many public and private kindergartens affiliated with the Gaziantep Provincial Directorates of National Education. Within the program, 1st-year students have the opportunity to get to know early childhood institutions by conducting observations in various kindergartens within the framework of the "Getting to Know and Observing Educational Institutions" course. 4th-year students, in turn, do active internships in practice kindergartens throughout the first and second semesters within the scope of the teaching practicum course. Gaziantep is a city that offers students a wide practice network and field of experience in preschool education. Kindergartens affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of National Education, daycare and childcare centers affiliated with municipalities or the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, and special education institutions contribute to students' developing their practical skills, gaining professional experience and acquiring a strong professional circle in the field. In this process, supported by the protocols and field collaborations established by our university, students have the opportunity to practice both under the guidance of faculty members and together with the teachers of the relevant institutions.