EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STUDENT PROFILE. A DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH STUDY FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE EUROPEAN SPACE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION UNTIL THE INTRODUCTION OF DEGREE-MODALITY STUDIES (2006-2010)

Pre-primary education has undergone a significant development in Spain, where debates and administrative, educational and legislative changes have taken place. University degrees are also undergoing a process of renewal, mainly through the European convergence process, which has stimulated the development of innovation projects and the design of undergraduate studies. The aim of this study is to describe the initial profile and skills of students upon entering the University of Malaga (Spain) to study the degree of Early Childhood Education. To this end, first-year students answered surveys with questions on their expectations, skills, experience and motivation for university and Early Childhood Education as a degree and a profession. These surveys were administered in four consecutive academic years. We also explored the generational differences on the basis of the year of entry.