Appraisal of Child Care Arrangements in Ekiti State Nigeria: Parents’ Perceptual Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study identifies different kinds and combinations of child care arrangements and empirically examines parents’ perception on various child care arrangements in Ekiti State. It also determines if there is any relationship between the parents’ demographic variables and their perception on different kinds of child care arrangements. Methodology: Structured questionnaire tagged “Assessment of Parental Child Care Arrangement (APCA)” was administered on a sample of working parents within these categories: Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Members of preschool children, Community Primary Health Care Centres workers and parents working in public and private institutions in Ado Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and chi-square. Findings: It was found that crèche/day care centres and nanny/baby sitters are the most practised childcare arrangements. While the majority of the sampled parents have a high positive impression on the use of crèche/daycare centres, they also have a high negative impression on nanny/baby sitters. It was further found that the parents’ demographic variables have different levels of significance with the parents’ perceptions. Practical Implication: It will help stakeholders in early childhood education to know the perceptions of working parents on the use of different kinds of child care arrangements in such an environment. The significance of the study to major stakeholders in the field of early childhood education is further reinforced with how the study has carried along the parents’ decision making on the use of child care arrangement that will cater for their children total needs. Originality: The findings from this study are assumed to help parents make informed decision about an appropriate child care arrangement relevant to the ideology of universal basic education (UBE). The relationship between parents’ demographics and the childcare arrangement adopted provides a good ground for policy makers on early childhood development programme.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n3p99