THE CURRENT STATUS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STUDENTS’ COMPETENCY IN BUILDING A SAFE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF EDUCATIONAL REFORM

This paper assesses the competency of early childhood education students in creating a safe educational environment within the context of ongoing educational reforms. The study aims to assess students’ awareness, skills, and attitudes toward establishing a safe, healthy, and friendly environment for preschool children, and to propose measures to strengthen these competencies during their training. The research was conducted through interviews and practicum observations with students from several teacher-training institutions. The findings show that most students possess an appropriate understanding of the importance of ensuring a safe educational environment; however, their skills in risk identification and pedagogical problem-solving remain limited. Accordingly, the paper recommends enhancing practical training through scenario-based simulations and fostering closer collaboration between universities and preschools to improve the quality of early childhood teacher education.