MANAJEMEN MUTU DAN PROFESIONALISME GURU: PERAN MEDIASI KEPUASAN ORANG TUA DALAM MEMBANGUN KEPERCAYAAN ORANG TUA

Abstrak

This study explores how quality management practices and teacher professionalism contribute to the development of parent trust in public kindergartens in Central Aceh Regency, Indonesia, with particular attention to the role of parent satisfaction. The study employed a qualitative case study approach involving parents or legal guardians, school principals, teachers, and relevant education personnel as key informants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the implementation of quality management, teacher professionalism, parent experiences, and the development of trust between families and early childhood education institutions. The findings indicate that effective quality management is reflected in systematic school planning, transparent communication, responsive services, continuous evaluation, and efforts to involve parents in the educational process. These practices contribute to positive experiences among parents and strengthen their perceptions of institutional reliability and accountability. Teacher professionalism also emerged as an important factor in shaping parent satisfaction and trust. Professional teachers were perceived through their pedagogical competence, communication skills, responsibility, responsiveness to children’s needs, and ability to establish constructive relationships with parents. Furthermore, parent satisfaction was closely associated with the quality of services and interactions experienced by families. Parents tended to develop greater confidence in schools when they perceived that the institution consistently fulfilled its educational responsibilities, communicated openly, responded to concerns, and demonstrated commitment to children’s development. The findings further suggest that parent satisfaction functions as an important contextual mechanism linking the implementation of quality management and teacher professionalism with the development of parent trust. Thus, strengthening trust in early childhood education institutions requires an integrated approach that combines systematic quality management, continuous teacher professional development, responsive educational services, and meaningful engagement with parents.