Career development of preschool teachers in Malaysia

Professionalism, career development, and workforce sustainability remain critical challenges in early childhood education (ECE), particularly amid the increasing reliance on online degree programs. This study examines the career development of preschool teachers in Malaysia enrolled in early childhood online degree programs, focusing on the influence of educational qualifications, online learning experiences, and program improvements on professional growth and career sustainability. Existing literature highlights persistent issues such as inconsistent professional standards, limited practical preparedness, restricted career pathways, and misalignment between teacher education curricula and workplace demands. These challenges are further exacerbated by inadequate professional development support, limited entrepreneurial exposure, and structural constraints including heavy workloads, low remuneration, and high turnover, especially within private ECE settings. Guided by Huberman’s Teacher Career Cycle Theory, the study acknowledges that teachers’ professional needs and motivations evolve across different career stages, underscoring the need for targeted institutional support. The proposed conceptual framework positions educational qualifications as the independent variable influencing career development, conceptualized through professional knowledge, job satisfaction, and career advancement. Experiences in early childhood online degree programs serve as a mediating variable, encompassing curriculum relevance, instructional support, technological usability, and learner engagement. Program improvements related to curriculum design, learning resources, and pedagogical approaches are incorporated to enhance online learning experiences. Overall, the study conceptualizes ECE as a long-term investment and provides insights to inform curriculum reform, policy development, and institutional practices aimed at strengthening teacher professionalism and workforce sustainability.