This study examined differences in early childhood education and care teachers' cognition of and responses to externalizing problems by type of ECEC methods using a person-centered approach. A questionnaire survey was administered to 628 ECEC teachers. Cluster analysis revealed that ECEC approaches could be categorized into five types. Analysis of variance found that the "child-centered group" with a high child-centered tendency and a low teacher-directed tendency had fewer negative cognitions and inappropriate responses. Furthermore, the "teacher-directed group," which was low child-centered and high teacher-directed, showed higher negative cognitions and strict responses. The "both-oriented group," which was both child-centered and teacher-directed, had both positive and negative elements in cognition and response. These findings imply that, in order to avoid inappropriate responses, both, a strong tendency towards child-centeredness and a low teacher-directed tendency are required.