SPS Teacher's Perception of STEAM Concepts

The STEAM concept has become an everyday part of early childhood life processes that can be stimulated in a structured manner through early childhood education (ECE) services. One of the non-formal ECE services, namely SPS, provides educational services for children aged zero to six years. This study aimed to determine the perceptions of SPS teachers towards the STEAM concept, considering that SPS teachers do not get professional teacher education as early childhood teachers do in formal education paths. Eighty SPS teachers spread across SPS institutions in Malang, East Java, participated in the survey by filling out a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. STEAM concepts in this research, including perceived knowledge, classroom settings, and practices, were described in the questionnaires distributed. The analysis results showed no influence of age, years of experience, educational background, or participation in professional training on the perception of STEAM concepts of SPS teachers. Participating in professional training activities strengthens SPS teachers' confidence in the STEAM concept applied in their classrooms. SPS teachers still need professional training organized by the government to improve their perceptions of the STEAM concept, where the training they attend independently has provided initial confidence in their perceptions of the importance of the STEAM concept.