Cílem empirické studie je prezentovat výsledky výzkumů profesních činností učitelek mateřských škol a vymezit charakteristické znaky profese učitelky mateřské školy v českém prostředí. V první části autorky dokládají zvyšující se odborný zájem o profesi učitelství v České republice, sumarizují poznatky dostupných výzkumů profesních činností učitelů a ve druhé části charakterizují kategorii učitelek mateřských škol, která představuje významnou skupinu v českém regionálním školství. Ve stěžejní třetí části je prezentováno výzkumné šetření, jehož hlavním cílem bylo identifikovat, pojmenovat a zaznamenat učitelkou české mateřské školy běžného typu profesní činnosti jí reálně vykonávané, ověřit jejich existenci a zjistit ve třech obdobích školního roku podíl časového vytížení učitelky realizací vybraného druhu činnosti v rámci určené týdenní přímé práce s dětmi. Závěrečná část studie naznačuje několik cest, jak by bylo možné s výsledky výzkumů dále pracovat.

Th e purpose of the presented research was to fi nd out which external and internal considerations and life experience motivate students for acquiring university education for the teaching profession to major in preschool teaching. Data collection was based on the method of unstructured interview on a given theme. Evaluation was based on coding. Th e presented factors are external factors of the "people" category. Every category is divided into sub-categories and the subcategories are further subdivided to subgroups on the basis of the nature of the incentive. Young people were mainly aff ected in their decision-making by their mother, her professional and private behaviour, by positive stimuli from their grandmothers, aunts and children. Fathers were not mentioned as actors in making this kind of decision. Th e most frequently mentioned human factor was represented by female teachers on diff erent levels of education and from diff erent school types. Th e discouraging factors included schoolmates. Children and schoolmates were newly identifi ed considerations.

The article presents results on identifying activities required from teaching assistants in kindergartens by legislative documents and their implementation and evaluation. The respondents were 32 qualified female teachers and 32 teaching assistants from the same kindergarten classes. The implementation of activities was evaluated by the teachers in 2017-2019. Methods: Qualitative content analysis of legislative documents, interviews identifying activities performed by teaching assistants, and teachers’ evaluation. Results: In direct pedagogical activities, assistants’ help in children’s physical activation, adaptation to the kindergarten environment, strengthening of basic habits, protecting safety and health, and group activities according to teachers’ established procedures and instructions focused on the children’s SEN were evaluated as positive. Failure to provide support and assistance to children with SEN, excessive performance of some activities, and inappropriate criticism were seen as negative. In activities related to direct pedagogical activities, care and concern for intact children were evaluated as positive. Failure to assist children and mutual conflicts of assistants in front of children were evaluated as unacceptable. Their knowledge of children’s diagnostic results was evaluated as being insufficient. The teachers also stated their desires and, expectations regarding the implementation of some activities. Conclusion: The results of the evaluation of the implementation of the teaching assistants’ activity in kindergartens provides an area for their improvement.