Wellbeing and adjustment processes in Early Childhood Education and Care centers in the post-Covid-19 era: the teachers’ perspective

In 2020, the Covid-19 virus spread globally, strongly affecting people’s lives across different contexts. In Italy, it had a significant impact on children, families, and communities, leading to the temporary closure of Early Childhood Education and Care centers (ECECs). Consequently, new rules and safety protocols were introduced to prevent the spread of the virus. Addressing the literature gap on Covid-19’s impact on ECECs, this study examines the pandemic’s effects on the wellbeing and adjustment of children and teachers in Italian schools. Eleven female Italian teachers were interviewed in April and May 2021. Findings indicate that both children and teachers faced new and unexpected challenges due to Covid-19 within ECECs, raising concerns about what to expect from the post-Covid era. The pandemic also affected children’s behavior, with consequences for their development and social skills. However, results show that both children and teachers developed various strategies to adjust to the new conditions.