Original Articles
Assessment of the quality of childcare centres in the Colombo Municipal Council area
Authors:
H M D Herath ,
Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo, LK
About H M D
Senior Registrar, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo
P M G Punchihewa,
Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo, LK
About P M G
Consultant paediatrician, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo
H M Bhagya Herath,
LK
About H M
Attorney at Law
Abstract
Background: There are 2 dimensions of childcare quality: process and structure. The interactions, activities, materials, learning opportunities, health and safety routines refer to process quality. Structural quality includes the group size, adult-child ratio and professional training of staff. No large scale studies are available on the quality of Sri Lankan childcare centres.
Objectives: To assess the quality of preschool and day care centres in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area and to evaluate how structural inputs and cost influence the process quality.
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study
Method: Process quality was assessed using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale-Revised. The cost and structural quality was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.
Results: Overall process quality was mediocre, with 25% preschools being of poor quality and 6% being of good quality. Over half the centres did not have appropriate number of staff. Eighty percent of child groups were larger than appropriate. Only 8% of centres were led by a graduate. Of the teachers, 90% had preschool teacher training. Smaller student groups cared for by a higher number of staff had significantly higher process quality. Better quality preschools cost more.
Conclusions: The quality of care provided by childcare centres in the 6 Medical Officer of Health areas of CMC area was mediocre.
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2013; 42: 200-204
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v42i4.6263
How to Cite:
Herath, H.M.D., Punchihewa, P.M.G., Herath, H.M.B. and Herath, H.M.M., 2013. Assessment of the quality of childcare centres in the Colombo Municipal Council area. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 42(4), pp.200–204. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v42i4.6263
Published on
15 Dec 2013.
Peer Reviewed
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