‘The Playful Entrepreneur’ Fostering Entrepreneurial Education in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

This study explores the integration of entrepreneurial education within early childhood settings in Ireland, focusing on embedding entrepreneurial capabilities at the foundational stages of education. Recognising the critical role that early experiences play in lifelong learning, this research advocates for equipping preschool children with essential 21st-century skills, such as independence, creativity and problem-solving. Despite significant investment in early childhood education, the integration of entrepreneurial education remains limited within existing pedagogical frameworks, which prioritise social, emotional, and cognitive skills without explicitly addressing entrepreneurial capabilities. Utilising a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach, the study examines how early childhood educators can foster an entrepreneurial mindset, attitude, and capabilities among preschool children. It develops a comprehensive conceptual framework, providing a scaffold for the effective integration of entrepreneurial education into preschool settings. The research emphasises the crucial role of early childhood educators as facilitators of entrepreneurial learning, and considers the policies and training programmes that either facilitate or impede this integration. A key finding is the importance of ‘play’ as a powerful tool for entrepreneurial learning, enabling children to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and independence through exploration and experimentation. The proposed early Entrepreneurial Education (eEE) Framework offers an innovative, structured approach to embedding entrepreneurial education in early childhood education curricula, enhancing educator training, and informing policy development. This thesis contributes to the broader dialogue on advancing educational strategies, preparing young learners for a global society that values entrepreneurial capabilities.