An Evaluation Of The Guidelines Used By Childcare Centers In Safeguarding Early Childhood Children In Burumba Ward, Busia County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2023-10
Authors
Nabwire, Judith
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School of Applied Human Sciences, Daystar University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Childcare centers are facilities that provide supervised care for children while their parents are working. This study evaluated guidelines used by childcare centers in safeguarding early childhood children in Burumba Ward, Busia County, Kenya. The objectives were to examine guidelines used by childcare centers, analyze the effectiveness of guidelines used by childcare centers in safeguarding children, and assess the organizational capacity of childcare centers to implement the guidelines. The study was informed by the attachment and ecological systems theories. Descriptive research design was used and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The target population was private childcare centers. Respondents comprised 5 center managers, 5 caregivers, and 166 parents. Data was collected using questionnaires, structured interviews, and observation schedules. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25, and content analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation (r (4) =0.70, 0.008<0.05) between the adoption of guidelines and safeguarding of children. Childcare centers had some guidelines that they used. The mean child-to-caregiver ratio (25:1) obtained was significantly different (t=3.164, p=0.034) from the ministry of education recommendation. Findings also revealed small, overcrowded spaces in 60% of the centers. The study concluded that lack of childcare-specific guidelines was a hindrance to their regulation, guidelines used were insufficient in safeguarding children, and childcare centers had inadequate organizational capacity to implement the guidelines. The study recommended the development of a childcare-specific national policy framework and consolidation of child safeguarding services under one ministry for easier supervision and monitoring.
Description
Masters Thesis
Keywords
Evaluation, Childcare, Early Childhood, Burumba, Busia County, Kenya
Citation
Nabwire, J., (2023, Thesis). An Evaluation Of The Guidelines Used By Childcare Centers In Safeguarding Early Childhood Children In Burumba Ward, Busia County, Kenya