The Potential of the regional competition “Flagship Kindergarten” in fostering the professional development of teachers and administrators in preschool educational organizations in the Chelyabinsk Region

The research problem and the rationale for its relevance. The relevance of the study is driven by the need to explore opportunities for the professional development of teachers and administrators within the context of competitive initiatives. The article examines the practice of the regional competition “Flagship Kindergarten” in the Chelyabinsk Region, which stimulates innovative activity, the exchange of best practices through mentoring, and the formation of professional communities. The study reveals the competition's potential as a tool for motivation and methodological support, analyzing its impact on the quality of preschool education. Particular attention is paid to the identified effects: increased pedagogical initiative, the implementation of promising educational technologies, and the creation of a mentoring network. The results can be used to improve the system of continuous professional development for teachers in other regions of the Russian Federation. The goal of research is to assess the opportunities for the professional development of teachers and administrators of preschool educational organizations within the framework of the regional competition “Flagship Kindergarten” in the Chelyabinsk Region. This includes studying the competition's impact on participants' professional development, the exchange of innovative practices, the formation of professional communities through mentoring, and developing recommendations for optimizing the competition practice to enhance the quality of preschool education in the region. Methodology (Materials and Methods). The research employed a comprehensive approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. This included: Studying regulatory documents governing the “Flagship Kindergarten” competition and materials related to its organization and implementation to identify key aspects of professional development opportunities within the competition format; Analyzing quantitative data using statistical methods to identify patterns and trends in the professional development of educators in the Chelyabinsk Region. Results. The study identified key effects of the “Flagship Kindergarten” competition on the professional development of teachers and administrators in preschool educational organizations in the Chelyabinsk Region. Participants were provided with training seminars, expert consultations, and a structured mentoring system, fostering a sustainable environment for professional growth and the exchange of best practices. The competition's implementation confirmed its effectiveness as a tool for improving the quality of preschool education. The methodological recommendations developed during the study for participant support and the post-competition implementation of best practices can be utilized to enhance the preschool education system not only in the Chelyabinsk Region but also in other regions of the Russian Federation. Scientific Novelty. The scientific novelty lies in the development of an algorithm for creating a training platform, necessary for ensuring the professional development of educators within the context of the "Flagship Kindergarten" training platform activities. It also involves proposing criteria for the regional “Flagship Kindergarten” competition, the novelty of which is detailed in the assessment parameters for each competition category. Theoretical significance consists of advancing the understanding of continuous professional development for teachers and administrators within competitive movements utilizing mentoring resources. Practical significance lies in the development and testing of two algorithms directly applicable when organizing training platforms based in preschool educational organizations: 1) an algorithm for creating a training platform in a preschool educational institution, specifying the list of required local regulatory documents, and 2) an algorithm for creating a training platform based on a winner of the “Flagship Kindergarten” competition. These products can be used by regional and municipal education authorities, methodological services, and heads of preschool educational organizations to standardize and enhance the effectiveness of training platform activities.