Abstract
The increasing number of Nigerian women in the labour force and disintegration of the extended family system, has led to demand for alternative means of caring for children. Crèche facilities serve as alternative sources of childcare. This study aimed at assessing the adequacy of crèches in a community in Nigeria to offer child care.The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design; a total of 14 out of 18 crèches in the town were assessed using a checklist (78% response rate), only 62% of parents of enrolled children accepted to be interviewed while all care givers were interviewed with a questionnaire. Swab samples for microbiological analysis were collected from floors, beddings and toys in the crèches and subjected to microbiological analysis.Less than two-fifth (38%) of caregivers had good knowledge about early childhood care. About two-thirds (65%) of the caregivers had some training in early childhood care. None of the creche had an infection control policy while a little over half (57%) had good environmental hygiene status, 93% had good safety practices and 71% had fair infection control practices. Organisms isolated are Staphylococcus aureus (59%), Aerobic spore bearer (13%) and Proteus vulgaris (5%) while 28% yielded no growth. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to second line antibiotics and only 44% were sensitive to Gentamicin. Proteus vulgaris was resistant to most antibiotics but sensitive to Gentamicin.Knowledge of care givers about childcare practices was poor. Infection control practice was fair despite absence of infection control policy.
Highlights
Though childcare is a gender role, in Nigeria as in other African societies, women in the traditional system are by their social and physiological makeup responsible for child rearing and home keeping (Asekun-Olarinmoye, Oyemade, & Lawoyin, 2005)
While crèche facilities seem to meet this need, most day care centres are owned by private enterprises that are at most times motivated by profit (UNESCO, 2006)
The age of enrolment in creches was from 4 months which suggests that it is immediately after completion of maternity leave which is 3 months in Nigeria
Summary
Though childcare is a gender role, in Nigeria as in other African societies, women in the traditional system are by their social and physiological makeup responsible for child rearing and home keeping (Asekun-Olarinmoye, Oyemade, & Lawoyin, 2005). Day-care as an alternative source of childcare has become a necessity rather than an option (Asekun-Olarinmoye et al, 2005) as women employed outside the home need to provide alternative adequate and sufficient care for their infants. Crèche facilities should provide psychosocial stimulation, a healthy and safe environment, protection and security; these facilities should inculcate in the child the spirit of enquiry and creativity through the exploration of nature, the environment, art, music and playing with toys, effect a smooth transition from the home to the school, prepare the child to adapt successfully when their current context changes, provide adequate care and supervision for the child while their parents are at work and inculcate in them the basic social norms – that is, culturally relevant skills and behaviour which shall allow them to function effectively in their current context. While crèche facilities seem to meet this need, most day care centres are owned by private enterprises that are at most times motivated by profit (UNESCO, 2006)
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