This article results from an empirical study on teachers' work in public early childhood education in Belo Horizonte city. The landmark of this research is the implementation of the First School Program with the promulgation of law n. 8.679/2003, which created the Municipal Units of Early Childhood Education. With this law, Belo Horizonte began the service for children aged up to three years, expanded places for children aged four to five years and created the position of early childhood educator through public tender for the exercise of the teaching function at this stage of basic education. Among other aspects, results show that the expansion of public early childhood education in Belo Horizonte city was made possible by creating a specific position and paying a lower salary than that of the teachers who work in other levels of basic education.
teachers' work; early childhood education; educational policy; Belo Horizonte's Municipal Education System
