Levels of Child-Friendliness of Nursery Schools in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study compared the level of child-friendliness of nursery schools in Osun State, Nigeria, on the basis of ownership; and determined the relationship between the level of child-friendliness of nursery schools and the academic performance of their children. The study adopted the survey design. The study employed the stratified sampling technique to select 435 pupils and 435 parents of nursery school children from seven Local Government Areas in Osun State, Nigeria. A “Nursery School Child-friendliness Questionnaire (NSCfQ), which measured the responses of parents in respect of the parameters of child-friendliness of nursery schools, and “Nursery Children Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Test (NCVQRT)” which measured the academic performance of nursery schools children, were used to collect data. Data collected were analysed with frequency counts and percentages, Kruskal Wallis (H) Test and Pearson Product Moment correlation statistics. Results showed that nursery schools in Osun State met the criteria of child-friendliness such as proactive inclusiveness (76.5%), academic effectiveness and relevance (81.38%), health, safety and protectiveness (80.73%) and participatory enablement (82.78%). The results also showed that there was no significant difference (H=0.33; p>.05) in the child-friendliness of schools owned by private, individuals, religious organisations, higher institutions of learning, and corporate group. The results further showed that there was no significant relationship between child-friendliness of nursery schools and the academic performance of their children (r=0.98, p>.05). The study concluded that nursery school owners in Osun State were conscious of the essential requirements for a successful nursery education and had put child-friendly facilities in place.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v4n3p383