DZURRIYAT:
Jurnal Pendidikan Islam AnakIslam Usia Anak Dini Usia Dini e-ISSN DZURRIYAT:
Jurnal Pendidikan e-ISSN2987-128X
2987-128X
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php/dzurriyat http://ejournal.
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php/dzurriyat p-ISSN p-ISSN3026-2909 Volume 3 Nomor 2 3September Volume Nomor 2 September DOI: https://doi.
org/10.
61104/dz.
Transforming Early Childhood Education Management: Integrating Technology and Holistic Approaches Said Maskur1.
Hasyamuddin Bin Othman2 Institut Agama Islam Ar-Risalah.
Indonesia1 Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia2 Email Korrespondensi: Said.
maskur@gmail.
com1, hasyam@uthm.
Article received: 30 Mei 2025.
Review process: 18 Juni 2025 Article Accepted: 25 Agustus 2015.
Article published: 16 September 2025
ABSTRACT
Transforming early childhood education (ECE) management has become an essential effort to address the challenges of 21st-century education.
This study aims to analyze transformative ECE management strategies by integrating digital innovation, holistic approaches, and transformational leadership to establish adaptive and sustainable institutional models.
The research employed a qualitative descriptive design with data collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis across several ECE institutions that have adopted digital management systems and holistic curricula.
The findings show that the integration of digital technology enhances management effectiveness, facilitates personalized learning, expands parental participation, and strengthens stakeholder collaboration.
Furthermore, holistic approaches positively influence childrenAos cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development, while transformational leadership emerges as a key driver for fostering innovation, improving service quality, and ensuring institutional sustainability.
Keywords: Early childhood education management, digital technology, holistic approach
ABSTRAK
Transformasi manajemen Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD) menjadi kebutuhan mendesak dalam menjawab tantangan pendidikan abad ke-21.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis strategi transformasi manajemen PAUD melalui integrasi teknologi digital, penerapan pendekatan holistik, dan penguatan kepemimpinan transformasional dalam mengelola lembaga secara adaptif dan berkelanjutan.
Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara, observasi, dan analisis dokumen pada beberapa lembaga PAUD yang telah mengimplementasikan sistem manajemen berbasis digital dan kurikulum holistik.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa integrasi teknologi digital mampu meningkatkan efektivitas manajemen, mempermudah personalisasi pembelajaran, memperluas partisipasi orang tua, dan memperkuat kolaborasi dengan pemangku kepentingan.
Selain itu, penerapan pendekatan holistik memberikan dampak positif terhadap perkembangan kognitif, emosional, sosial, dan fisik anak.
Kepemimpinan transformasional menjadi faktor kunci dalam menciptakan budaya inovasi, meningkatkan kualitas layanan, dan membangun keberlanjutan lembaga.
Kata Kunci: Manajemen PAUD.
Teknologi Digital.
Pendekatan Holistik Lisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.
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p-ISSN 3026-2909
INTRODUCTION
Early Childhood Education (ECE) has become a critical foundation for shaping childrenAos cognitive, emotional, and social development in the 21st In todayAos rapidly evolving society.
ECE institutions are not only responsible for providing fundamental knowledge but also for cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and socio-emotional intelligence.
The World Bank .
emphasizes that high-quality ECE programs significantly improve lifelong learning outcomes and reduce educational inequality.
Moreover, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG .
highlight the urgent need to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, starting from early childhood.
These global frameworks underscore the strategic role of effective ECE management in preparing the next generation to thrive in a knowledge-based economy.
The integration of digital technology has fundamentally transformed the management of early childhood education institutions worldwide.
Modern ECE settings increasingly utilize data-driven systems, cloud-based learning platforms, and artificial intelligence to enhance administrative efficiency and personalize teaching strategies.
According to UNESCO .
, digital innovation in ECE management has accelerated in response to global disruptions such as the COVID19 pandemic, enabling greater flexibility and accessibility in educational delivery.
However, the rapid implementation of technology also introduces challenges, including digital literacy gaps, data privacy concerns, and unequal access to digital infrastructure, particularly in developing countries.
While technological integration is vital, research highlights the importance of holistic management strategies that consider childrenAos overall development beyond academic achievement.
Holistic ECE management integrates cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of learning, fostering environments where children can thrive in multiple dimensions of growth.
The OECD .
reports that early education systems adopting holistic pedagogies demonstrate better long-term developmental outcomes, including improved well-being, resilience, and social competence.
Therefore, balancing technological innovation with human-centered approaches has become a strategic priority in contemporary ECE Recent global trends indicate increasing expectations for ECE institutions to respond to societal and economic shifts while ensuring equity and inclusivity.
Governments and educational organizations are prioritizing policies that promote lifelong learning and prepare children for future workforce demands.
However, challenges persist, such as limited funding, teacher shortages, inconsistent quality standards, and disparities between urban and rural access to high-quality ECE A report by UNICEF .
underscores that without effective management strategies, these systemic inequalities risk perpetuating cycles of disadvantage and limiting childrenAos developmental potential.
To navigate these complexities, innovation and visionary leadership are increasingly recognized as central drivers of effective ECE management.
School leaders and policymakers must adopt adaptive strategies that integrate evidenceLisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.
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php/dzurriyat Volume 3 Nomor 2 September 2025 e-ISSN 2987-128X p-ISSN 3026-2909 based practices, digital transformation, and collaborative partnerships between educators, parents, and communities.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF, 2.
, the education sector must shift from a standardized delivery model toward flexible, learner-centered frameworks supported by technology and inclusive pedagogies.
These innovations enable ECE institutions to remain resilient and relevant amid continuous global changes.
Despite growing awareness of the importance of integrating technology and holistic approaches, research on effective models for managing early childhood education remains fragmented, especially in developing countries.
Many studies have explored digital tools or holistic practices separately, yet few have examined how these two dimensions can be strategically combined to enhance institutional performance and learning outcomes.
Therefore, this study aims to analyze transformative management strategies in early childhood education by integrating technological innovation with holistic approaches to optimize educational quality, improve institutional sustainability, and strengthen childrenAos developmental METHOD This study employed a qualitative descriptive research design to explore management strategies in early childhood education (ECE) by integrating technology and holistic approaches.
The research was conducted across selected early childhood institutions that have adopted digital management systems and implemented child-centered learning frameworks.
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and document analysis to capture a comprehensive understanding of administrative practices, pedagogical innovations, and stakeholder perspectives.
To ensure the validity and reliability of findings, triangulation was applied by comparing data from multiple sources and involving peer debriefing sessions with academic experts.
The analysis followed an interactive thematic approach (Miles.
Huberman, & Saldaya, 2.
, consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing.
This methodological framework enables a deep understanding of how technological integration and holistic management influence the effectiveness of ECE institutions within the context of 21st-century education.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Integration of Digital Technology in ECE Management The findings demonstrate that the integration of digital technology has significantly reshaped the way early childhood education (ECE) institutions manage their administrative and pedagogical processes.
Schools that successfully implemented digital platforms reported notable improvements in operational efficiency, decision-making, and the overall quality of educational delivery.
For instance, several institutions utilized cloud-based management systems that streamline key functions such as student enrollment, attendance monitoring, financial reporting, and real-time communication between parents, teachers, and Lisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.
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php/dzurriyat Volume 3 Nomor 2 September 2025 e-ISSN 2987-128X p-ISSN 3026-2909 This transition has reduced the dependency on traditional paperbased workflows while enabling faster access to institutional data, ultimately supporting evidence-based policy formulation.
According to UNESCO .
, the implementation of digital governance within ECE systems contributes to better resource allocation and enhances institutional transparency, particularly when combined with centralized data monitoring frameworks that can inform national education strategies.
Digitalization has also facilitated the development of personalized learning pathways through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and learning analytics.
Educators from participating institutions reported using AI-driven platforms to analyze childrenAos progress and adapt instructional strategies based on individual developmental needs.
This shift toward data-informed pedagogy not only promotes differentiated learning but also ensures that children receive targeted interventions aligned with their cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
Research by the OECD .
highlights that personalized learning technologies in ECE settings have been associated with increased student engagement, improved performance outcomes, and stronger motivation among young learners.
Moreover, schools employing adaptive platforms demonstrated greater flexibility in responding to diverse learning styles, helping teachers optimize instructional time and enhance developmental milestones.
Despite these advancements, disparities remain in how technology is implemented across different regions and socioeconomic contexts.
Schools located in urban areas tend to have better access to infrastructure, funding, and technical support, enabling them to adopt advanced tools such as AI-assisted dashboards, cloud-based analytics, and interactive digital learning environments.
In contrast, rural and under-resourced institutions face significant barriers, including limited internet connectivity, inadequate hardware, and insufficient budget allocations for technological upgrades.
These gaps perpetuate inequities in learning opportunities for children and widen the digital divide.
UNICEF .
underscores that without targeted investments in infrastructure and teacher training, rural communities risk being excluded from the benefits of educational digitalization, thereby creating systemic disparities in access to quality early childhood education.
The successful integration of technology also depends heavily on building teacher capacity and fostering professional development.
Findings reveal that schools offering structured digital literacy training for educators experienced smoother transitions to technology-enhanced learning environments.
Teachers who engaged in ongoing capacity-building initiatives reported higher confidence in utilizing digital tools, designing interactive content, and managing blended classrooms effectively.
The World Bank .
identifies professional development as a critical factor in sustaining technology-driven reforms, emphasizing that educators require not only technical skills but also pedagogical competencies to leverage digital innovation meaningfully.
This aligns with emerging global frameworks that advocate for continuous upskilling as an essential component of ECE transformation strategies.
Moreover, the adoption of digital platforms has Lisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.
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php/dzurriyat Volume 3 Nomor 2 September 2025 e-ISSN 2987-128X p-ISSN 3026-2909 transformed collaboration dynamics between parents, teachers, and institutional Schools implementing integrated communication systems, such as mobile apps and parent portals, observed increased parental involvement in tracking childrenAos academic progress and emotional development.
Parents were able to monitor real-time updates on classroom activities, access learning materials remotely, and communicate directly with educators.
Studies by Huang and Lee .
demonstrate that digital home-school partnerships positively influence childrenAos learning outcomes and foster stronger socio-emotional competencies.
These collaborative ecosystems illustrate that when families are actively engaged in the learning process, children develop a deeper sense of security and belonging, thereby improving overall educational experiences.
However, the digitalization of ECE management also introduces emerging risks related to data privacy, security, and ethical governance.
Administrators expressed concerns over safeguarding sensitive student information stored within cloud-based systems, particularly when adopting third-party applications.
response, several institutions developed internal policies aligned with international regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), to ensure compliance with global standards.
The OECD .
emphasizes the importance of establishing robust data protection frameworks, recommending that ECE leaders adopt multi-layered security measures, encryption protocols, and transparent consent processes to maintain trust among stakeholders.
These strategies are essential for mitigating potential breaches and fostering confidence in technology-driven educational reforms.
Interestingly, findings suggest that the integration of digital tools has prompted shifts in leadership approaches within participating institutions.
Administrators increasingly adopted collaborative, data-informed decisionmaking processes, relying on performance dashboards and real-time analytics to guide strategic planning and instructional supervision.
This transformation from hierarchical models to participatory leadership has strengthened institutional accountability and fostered a culture of innovation.
The World Economic Forum .
highlights that data-driven leadership enhances organizational resilience and adaptability, particularly in navigating educational disruptions caused by technological change and global crises such as pandemics.
In conclusion, the integration of digital technology in ECE management has introduced significant opportunities to enhance efficiency, personalization, and collaboration across stakeholders.
Nevertheless, findings underscore the necessity of adopting balanced strategies that account for infrastructural inequities, strengthen teacher capabilities, and prioritize data security.
Digital transformation should not be viewed merely as a technological upgrade but as a comprehensive shift toward evidence-based, inclusive, and sustainable management practices.
Future reforms must emphasize equitable access, policy alignment, and long-term investments in institutional capacity to ensure that technological innovations contribute meaningfully to delivering high-quality early childhood education for Lisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.
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php/dzurriyat Volume 3 Nomor 2 September 2025 e-ISSN 2987-128X p-ISSN 3026-2909 Holistic Approaches to Early Childhood Development The findings indicate that adopting holistic approaches in early childhood education (ECE) management significantly improves childrenAos developmental outcomes by addressing multiple dimensions of growth beyond academic Schools that applied integrated models focusing on cognitive, socioemotional, physical, and creative domains reported higher engagement, deeper learning, and stronger emotional well-being among learners.
According to the OECD .
, holistic pedagogies help children develop critical life skills, including adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving, which are essential in preparing them for future academic and social challenges.
Institutions implementing comprehensive frameworks also demonstrated better alignment between developmental milestones and individualized instructional strategies, ensuring that children receive the appropriate balance of guidance and autonomy in their learning journeys.
A significant emphasis was placed on the incorporation of play-based learning within holistic educational frameworks.
Observations revealed that classrooms integrating structured and unstructured play activities provided children with broader opportunities to explore, experiment, and build creativity while fostering collaboration with peers.
Through guided play, children develop fundamental socio-emotional skills such as empathy, negotiation, and selfregulation, which are critical for long-term success.
UNESCO .
asserts that play-based methodologies represent a universal tool for cultivating inclusive learning environments, particularly when designed to reflect cultural diversity and localized practices.
By embedding play into the curriculum, institutions move beyond rote learning and promote active engagement, critical thinking, and joyful discovery, positioning ECE programs as catalysts for meaningful child The results further highlight that incorporating arts, music, and movementbased activities within early learning settings significantly enhances childrenAos selfexpression, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility.
Several schools observed notable improvements in learnersAo confidence, memory retention, and problem-solving abilities when implementing arts-integrated curricula.
A study by Thompson and Lee .
supports these findings, demonstrating that children exposed to creative activities at an early stage exhibit stronger executive functioning and advanced linguistic development.
By leveraging artistic exploration, educators are better able to connect abstract concepts with real-world experiences, enabling children to construct knowledge through personalized meaning-making processes and fostering a lifelong passion for learning.
Equally important, holistic approaches prioritize childrenAos physical health and overall well-being, recognizing their foundational role in educational success.
Schools adopting nutrition-sensitive policies, mindfulness practices, and daily physical exercise programs reported improvements in childrenAos energy levels, attention spans, and emotional stability.
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UNICEF .
highlights that early investments in physical well-being contribute to enhanced long-term academic achievement and greater societal productivity.
Institutions incorporating wellness-focused strategies demonstrate a stronger capacity to address developmental disparities and establish nurturing environments that support the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional growth.
Socio-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks emerged as another key feature of holistic ECE management.
Teachers reported that integrating SEL principles into daily classroom routines reduced behavioral issues, enhanced peer relationships, and fostered empathy and collaboration among learners.
CASEL
notes that SEL interventions at the early childhood stage positively impact childrenAos emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and conflict-resolution abilities, laying the foundation for long-term social competence.
By intentionally designing activities that teach emotional literacy and interpersonal communication, educators help children build essential skills for navigating complex social environments, thereby improving their readiness for future educational and life The findings also reveal the importance of collaborative partnerships between families, schools, and communities in strengthening holistic approaches.
Institutions implementing parental workshops, community-based activities, and family counseling programs reported significant improvements in childrenAos overall development.
Parents who engaged more actively in educational planning demonstrated greater alignment with institutional goals and supported learning beyond the classroom.
Research by Kim et al.
confirms that effective schoolfamily partnerships foster stronger cognitive and socio-emotional growth by providing consistent reinforcement of values and expectations at home and in educational settings.
These collaborations establish supportive ecosystems where all stakeholders share responsibility for childrenAos success.
Despite these benefits, schools reported ongoing challenges in aligning holistic approaches with standardized academic assessment systems.
Educators expressed concerns that rigid evaluation frameworks focusing heavily on literacy and numeracy undermine creativity, exploration, and experiential learning The OECD .
warns that overemphasis on academic performance can marginalize other critical aspects of child development, particularly socio-emotional and creative capacities.
Policymakers are therefore encouraged to adopt balanced assessment models that integrate developmental progress, portfolio-based evaluations, and project-based learning outcomes, ensuring that institutional standards reflect the multi-dimensional goals of holistic In conclusion, the integration of holistic approaches into ECE management fosters a learning ecosystem that respects and nurtures the diverse needs of young By prioritizing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical dimensions equally, these strategies enable children to build foundational skills while cultivating curiosity, creativity, and resilience.
International research consistently Lisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.
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To maximize the effectiveness of these frameworks, institutions must continue investing in inclusive policies, educator training, and stakeholder collaboration, ensuring that holistic pedagogies remain central to highquality early childhood education.
Strategic Leadership and Sustainable ECE Management The findings reveal that leadership plays a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring institutional sustainability within early childhood education (ECE) Schools led by adaptive, visionary leaders demonstrated a higher capacity to navigate disruptions and implement transformative reforms These leaders prioritized strategic planning, organizational adaptability, and inclusive decision-making processes that empowered educators and stakeholders to take collective ownership of institutional goals.
According to Fullan and Quinn .
, transformational leadership fosters a shared vision and enhances organizational resilience, particularly in educational environments undergoing rapid technological and pedagogical changes.
The study shows that leaders who consistently communicated their mission and invested in community engagement created more collaborative, cohesive, and innovation-driven learning A key finding highlights the growing adoption of distributed and collaborative leadership models, where authority and responsibility are shared among administrators, teachers, and staff.
Schools implementing these models reported more efficient problem-solving, increased teacher autonomy, and enhanced pedagogical innovation.
This approach aligns with OECD .
recommendations, which emphasize that collaborative leadership fosters teacher agency and promotes reflective practices that lead to higher-quality instruction and better student outcomes.
Educators in such settings demonstrated stronger ownership of teaching strategies, resulting in more adaptive and student-centered Institutions with distributed leadership frameworks also exhibited higher staff satisfaction and lower burnout rates, showing the direct impact of inclusive governance on organizational well-being.
The study further reveals that sustainable ECE management is strongly linked to effective resource mobilization and strategic financial planning.
Institutions that developed long-term funding strategies, including partnerships with local governments, private foundations, and non-governmental organizations, demonstrated greater resilience in sustaining operational excellence.
UNICEF .
highlights that cross-sectoral collaboration remains essential for addressing funding inequities, especially in under-resourced communities.
Findings show that schools leveraging multi-stakeholder partnerships successfully expanded digital infrastructure, enhanced teacher training, and improved access to quality learning materials.
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php/dzurriyat Volume 3 Nomor 2 September 2025 e-ISSN 2987-128X p-ISSN 3026-2909 opportunities, ensuring that technological integration benefits all children regardless of socioeconomic status.
Continuous professional development (CPD) also emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable leadership in ECE.
Institutions investing in ongoing training programs for educators and administrators reported stronger adaptability to curriculum reforms, technological disruptions, and shifting policy frameworks.
Teachers engaged in CPD demonstrated increased confidence in adopting new teaching methodologies, managing digital tools, and implementing holistic pedagogical practices.
The World Economic Forum .
asserts that upskilling educators is fundamental to preparing children for future demands, especially as automation and digital transformation redefine learning environments.
Schools in this study that embedded CPD as a permanent institutional priority consistently outperformed those treating training as an isolated activity, underscoring the value of leadership-driven capacity building.
The findings further highlight that stakeholder engagement is integral to achieving sustainable outcomes in ECE management.
Effective leaders cultivated partnerships not only with families but also with community organizations, local authorities, and policy actors, resulting in more cohesive learning ecosystems.
Schools that maintained transparent communication channels and participatory governance structures reported higher levels of trust, accountability, and community involvement.
Research by Johnson et al.
confirms that strong partnerships between educators, parents, and external stakeholders significantly improve student learning outcomes and strengthen institutional legitimacy.
embedding collaboration into leadership practices, schools can co-create innovative solutions that enhance childrenAos developmental trajectories and advance collective educational objectives.
Despite these successes, leaders reported persistent challenges in navigating complex policy reforms, administrative burdens, and rising expectations for ECE program quality.
Institutions operating without standardized governance frameworks experienced fragmented decision-making processes and inconsistent quality assurance measures, leading to reduced program effectiveness.
UNESCO
recommends developing coherent policy guidelines and supportive regulatory systems to empower ECE leaders with the tools and autonomy necessary for sustainable reform implementation.
The findings suggest that systemic alignment between institutional goals and broader national education strategies is essential for ensuring policy consistency, resource optimization, and organizational stability.
The study also emphasizes that sustainable ECE leadership requires balancing innovation with equity to prevent the exacerbation of educational While technological integration offers significant opportunities for improving efficiency and personalization, leaders must ensure that advancements do not widen gaps between urban and rural institutions.
The World Bank .
highlights that inclusive leadership practices are critical for reducing inequities in access to quality education and achieving broader social justice objectives.
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php/dzurriyat Volume 3 Nomor 2 September 2025 e-ISSN 2987-128X p-ISSN 3026-2909 Findings demonstrate that institutions embedding equity-focused policies in their digital transformation strategies were better positioned to provide comprehensive learning opportunities for all children, regardless of their geographic or economic In conclusion, effective leadership serves as the foundation for achieving transformative and sustainable ECE management.
By embracing collaborative governance, investing in capacity-building, and mobilizing diverse resources, educational institutions can create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready systems.
The findings highlight the need for leaders to adopt adaptive strategies that integrate technological innovation with holistic pedagogies, while simultaneously ensuring equity, accountability, and institutional stability.
As the World Economic Forum .
asserts, the leaders who succeed in the digital era will be those who can align innovation with inclusivity, enabling early childhood education systems to meet the evolving demands of the 21st century and prepare children for lifelong
CONCLUSION
This study concludes that transforming early childhood education (ECE) management requires a comprehensive integration of digital innovation, holistic pedagogical approaches, and adaptive leadership to optimize institutional performance and improve developmental outcomes for young learners.
The findings demonstrate that technology enhances efficiency, personalization, and holistic frameworks foster socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical and strategic leadership ensures sustainable and inclusive practices.
However, successful implementation depends on addressing digital inequities, strengthening teacher competencies, ensuring stakeholder engagement, and aligning institutional goals with broader education policies.
To prepare children for the challenges of the 21st century.
ECE institutions must adopt evidence-based management strategies that balance innovation with equity, build professional capacity, and cultivate collaborative ecosystems that empower educators, families, and communities to support lifelong learning.
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