FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines issues related to the financial support of preschool education development in Ukraine. It emphasizes that modern preschool education lays the foundation for a child’s development and prepares them for further schooling. Moreover, high-quality preschool education largely shapes a person’s life trajectory. A comparative analysis of the works of leading scholars has revealed numerous problems in the financing of preschool education in Ukraine. It is stressed that the shortage of financial resources is not only a consequence of financial policy under martial law but also a reflection of problems in this field. A particularly acute issue concerns the remuneration of teachers working in preschool education institutions. As a result, there is a shortage of qualified staff in state- and municipally owned preschool institutions. At the same time, this problem is absent in privately owned preschool institutions. The key factors that have determined the state of preschool education financing in the 21st century are the full-scale invasion and the administrative reform. Local self-government bodies have significantly increased their financial capacity; however, this does not necessarily indicate efficient resource use. It is obvious that since February 2022, preschool education in Ukraine has faced fundamentally new challenges. Forced migration, the temporary occupation of part of the territories, and the reduced financial capacity of territorial communities require changes in approaches to financing preschool education. These transformations should, first and foremost, be based on the concept of child-centeredness. Adequate funding is essential for ensuring high-quality education. Insufficient funding leads to a decline in the quality of educational services, deterioration of the material and technical base, and reduced staff motivation. Reforms aimed at increasing the transparency and efficiency of the allocation of financial resources can significantly improve the situation. It is also important to consider the economic, social, and political factors that affect the financing of preschool education. It is recommended to use analytical tools to assess the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of financing preschool education institutions.