Examining conflict managment strategies in preschool education institutions: A study on employees

The main purpose of this study is to examine the conflict management strategies used by employees working in preschool education institutions and to determine whether these strategies differ according to various demographic variables such as gender, age, marital status and years of professional experience. The study was designed in line with a quantitative research approach using a descriptive survey model. The study group consisted of 148 employees working in different preschool education institutions. As data collection tools, a personal information form and the Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument were administered, and the data obtained were analyzed through appropriate statistical tests. The findings of the study revealed that employees in preschool education institutions predominantly prefer collaborative and compromising strategies in managing conflicts, while they use competing and avoiding strategies at relatively lower levels. In terms of gender, female employees scored significantly higher than male employees on the collaboration and accommodating dimensions. With regard to marital status, married employees were found to adopt the compromising strategy more frequently than single employees. It was also determined that as age and years of professional experience increase, the use of collaborative strategies increases whereas the tendency to adopt competing strategies decreases, indicating that experience and professional maturity contribute positively to conflict resolution processes. Overall, the study demonstrates that the culture of conflict management in preschool education institutions is largely constructive, cooperative and solution-oriented. This result suggests that teachers and other staff members, who serve as role models for children in the vi preschool period, tend to prefer strategies based on mutual understanding, empathy and shared decision-making when dealing with conflicts. In line with the findings, it is recommended to develop in-service training programs on conflict management and effective communication, particularly for novice teachers, and to support an organizational climate that strengthens collaboration within preschool education institutions.