The relationship between organizational climate and job satisfaction among child care teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the relationship between organizational climate and job satisfaction was examined to determine if they are redundant constructs. Second, the validity of aggregate scores on the organizational climate scale was tested.

Paula Jorde-Bloom’s Early Childhood Work Environment Survey (ECWES) was sent to child care workers in Virginia to assess their perceptions of the organizational climate of their centers. An aggregate center score was derived by taking a mean of all the respondents from a particular center. The Early Childhood Job Satisfaction Survey (ECJSS) was used to assess workers’ feelings of satisfaction with their jobs.

Results of correlations and factor analysis indicated that the two scales do represent distinct constructs. Results of T-tests, analysis of variance, and correlations provided partial support for acceptance of the validity of aggregate scores on the ECWES. Directions for future research included replicating the study with a larger sample size and more respondents per center, attempting to validate aggregate scores on the ECWES with existing objective rating scales, examining the relationships between center attributes and climate dimensions, and between these attributes and turnover. Implications for practice include ways child care center directors can enhance the climate of their centers. For example, directors should examine their supervisory behavior to see if they are being supportive of their staff and fostering group decision-making.