Care Management Of Children Research Articles

Exploring the impact of social influence on parents’ intention to use institutional childcare: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChina is actively responding to low birth rates by developing childcare institutions to alleviate the parenting pressures on families. However, despite strong childcare demand, the enrollment rate remains low. Few studies have explored the role of social influence in parents' childcare decisions. Therefore, this study will construct a research model to explore the mechanisms of social influence on parents' intentions to use childcare institutions.MethodsThis study used parents of infants and toddlers in mainland China as the study population. Questionnaires were collected through electronic surveys created on a professional website, with 554 responses gathered through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA).ResultsThe results indicate that perceived benefits are the significant driving variable for parents' intention to use childcare institutions, while price sensitivity and perceived risk are significant barriers. Normative influence and perceived childcare policy significantly affect perceived benefits and price sensitivity, while informational influence has a significant positive effect on perceived risk. Additionally, the Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) shows that improvements should focus more on price sensitivity given the current low performance.ConclusionsThese findings provide insights for childcare policymakers and institutional childcare managers and will generate a management basis for developing China’s childcare service industry.

Barriers to access to local produce in an early childhood setting in rural Appalachia

This case study examines young children’s access to fresh local produce in childcare settings in rural Appalachia. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with childcare center directors participating in farm to early care and education programming were conducted in the spring of 2023. Centering the per­spective of childcare directors, this research explores why farm to school programming is diffi­cult to implement. It specifically addresses the bar­riers preventing early childcare centers from pro­viding access to fresh and local produce to enrolled children. Eight primary obstacles to implementing farm to early care and education programming were identified: lack of staff; too wide a variety of tasks for directors; the “extra” work that fresh pro­duce requires; lack of knowledge about how to grow food; lack of required kitchen equipment; need for additional funding; unclear or out-of-date regulations about food safety; and a lack of paren­tal time. Limitations of the research include the specific geographic location of the study and the long-lasting implications of the COVID-19 pan­demic. Recommendations drawn from this case study include improving communication between childcare centers and regulatory agencies; creative use of alternative gardening practices; participating in a regional food hub; and improved funding.

Exploring parenting behaviors, stress, and closeness among foster parents

This mixed methods study with a triangulation design aimed to explore the impact of parenting styles and those that most make up parenting care among foster parents today. We assessed how foster parents individually view their management of childcare, perceived levels of support, and education opportunities surrounding foster care parenting practices or level of received preparedness. Furthermore, this study offered insight into if parental styles are associated with parental perceived stress level, and foster parent-foster child closeness. Preexisting secondary data from the Fostering Healthy Relationships study was utilized. This study contained national survey data and focus group transcriptions from licensed foster parents, which were collected during 2018–2019. Our current sample included quantitative data from 457 foster parent participants and qualitative data from 12 participants. Overall, the results indicated most parents who responded to the survey revealed having participated in authoritative parenting practices. Those with authoritative and authoritarian parenting practices had more stress, while authoritative reported more closeness with foster children.

The childcare director’s role in preventing burnout: a positive-psychological examination of the caregivers’ lived experience

ABSTRACT This study applied a positive-psychological approach to examining childcare directors’ role in maintaining the stability of their staff from the caregivers’ and directors’ points of view. Most of the childcare centers in Israel are characterized by high burnout and turnover of staff members. Nevertheless, some teams stay stable, and turnover is minimal. This study explored the factors using 30 semi-structured interviews with childcare center directors and caregivers regarding their occupational stability. Findings suggested that the sense of belonging to the childcare center was one source of stability. The director acted as a safe haven, maintaining the caregivers’ wellbeing. Other success factors are related mainly to their relations with other staff members, with the director, and with the children, and also to proper management that provides professional training and treats them with respect. The study’s contribution is fourfold. First, it gives voice to a population of women who work under difficult conditions for low pay. Second, it highlights the role of the childcare director in maintaining staff stability. Third, implementing its findings is relevant to creating and improving models of training and supervising early childhood educators. Fourth, studying anti-burnout factors can strengthen teams and provide the children with positive relationships with significant others.

Mental Stress for Creating Healthy Environment for Housewives in Maharagama MOH’s

This study aims to assess the mental stress experienced by housewives in the Maharagama Medical Officer of Health’s (MOH) division while striving to establish a healthy living environment. Housewives play a pivotal role in maintaining the well-being of their families and homes, which often results in considerable stress. Were, the unhealthy in physiological, in the fat possibility of stress levels from hormones due to diseases. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive assessment within the Maharagama MOH’s division, which is an urban and suburban area in Sri Lanka. This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data. A sample of housewives was surveyed to understand the factors contributing to mental stress. Key variables included the management of household chores, childcare, economic pressures, and social support. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the nuances of their experiences, coping mechanisms, and suggestions for improving their mental well-being. Preliminary findings indicate that housewives in the Maharagama MOH’s division face significant mental stress in their daily lives. Key stressors include a heavy burden of domestic responsibilities, financial concerns, and social isolation. While some housewives display effective coping strategies, such as seeking support from family and friends, many expressed the need for more comprehensive support systems, including mental health services and community initiatives. In conclusion, the mental well-being of housewives in the Maharagama MOH’s division is a pressing concern. Understanding the sources of stress and identifying coping strategies are crucial steps in improving their quality of life. This study’s results will contribute to the development of tailored interventions and support programs to alleviate mental stress among housewives, ultimately fostering a healthier living environment for them and their families. Within these frameworks, this research aimed to examine housewives’ psychological distress and anxiety by focusing on three contributory factors namely housewife burnout, perceived stress, and loneliness. Further research and collaborative efforts with local authorities and healthcare providers are essential to address this issue effectively.

Inclusion in Quebec childcare centers: financial support, adaptation, and training

BackgroundInclusion in childcare centers involves a support system that includes funding policies, inclusive practices and access to ongoing training. The province of Quebec (Canada) benefits from a network of subsidized childcare services for children from birth to 5 years old. Although two financial measures support educational childcare centers welcoming children with disabilities, there is a lack of knowledge about how these measures are used.Research questionsThe research questions are: (1) How do childcare centers use financial measures to support inclusion? (2) What adaptations are made in childcare centers? and (3) What is the ongoing training of educators to support inclusion?MethodThis research presents the results of an online survey completed by 94 childcare management staff and 154 childcare educators. The survey was developed using a two-way process involving the researchers along with representatives from government ministries and agencies and childcare management staff.ResultsResults reveal that just over half of management staff request financial measures for all children with special needs and does so mainly to hire additional and specialized human resources and replace staff in meetings with specialized services. The financial measures are perceived to meet material adaptation needs better than those for human resources. Adaptations made by educators relate to instructions, individual interventions, equipment, group activities, physical environment, and schedule and routines. Over half the educators report that adaptations involving group activities and schedules and routines are the most difficult to implement. Less than half the managers and educators had received ongoing training on inclusive practices. Issues addressed during such training include commonly recognized interventions based on diagnoses, collaboration with parents, collaboration with partner agencies or institutions, instructions, individual interventions, group activities, equipment, physical environment, and schedules and routines.DiscussionResults are discussed in terms of (1) needs met and funding model, and (2) dimensions of quality inclusive practices such as leadership of childcare management staff, training and professional development, collaboration with health and specialized social services, learning environments and partnership with families.

The status and childcare management of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hangzhou.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children in Hangzhou and assess the impact of childcare management. By examining the characteristics and predicting the trends of overweight and obesity, we hope to emphasize the significance of childcare management in primary community health service centers and the use of Electronic Health-care System in kindergartens. This study also seeks to provide evidence for intervention measures and effective prevention and control management of childhood obesity. From 2020 to 2022, kindergarten children aged 3-6 years old were selected as the research objects in kindergartens in Hangzhou. The Electronic Health-care System will be utilized to facilitate the management of childhood obesity and provide guidance and training to pediatricians and Primary Care Physicians. The overall detection rates of overweight and obesity were 7.27 % and 3.55 %, respectively, among children aged 3-6 years in Hangzhou. The rates of simple obesity in Hangzhou preschool children aged 3-6 years were 4.25 , 3.42, and 3.04 % from 2020 to 2022, respectively; the overweight detection rates of children were 8.27 , 7.28, and 6.34 %, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The detection rates of overweight and obesity in 2022 were significantly lower than those in 2020 (p<0.05). The prevalence of obesity in children increased with age. Boys had a significantly higher incidence rate of obesity than girls (p<0.05). The proportion of children with moderate and severe obesity showed a downward trend. Intervention measures for childhood obesity in primary community health service centers and kindergartens are constantly being implemented. The prevalence of obesity in preschool children aged 3-6 years in Hangzhou exhibited a decreasing tendency. This research has identified that child care administration, particularly the implementation of the Electronic Health-care System, demonstrates effectiveness in handling overweight and obesity amongst children.

Psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic in informal settlements: A Case of Childcare Providers in Nairobi, Kenya

BackgroundThe Covid-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on psychosocial health and wellbeing of childcare providers. The need to support childcare managers has been recognized. However, there is to date little research specifically on how best to support the mental health needs of childcare providers, and no studies on their own experiences and views about what might be most helpful. We set out to address this research gap by qualitatively exploring the psychosocial experiences of childcare providers in Korogocho and Viwandani informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. MethodsWe collected data through key informant interviews with thirty-two childcare providers who were recruited purposively from Korogocho and Viwandani informal settlements. We analysed the data using framework analysis. ResultsWe organized the results into six psychosocial support domains derived from themes identified during coding and analysis. As such, experiences and views about psychosocial support were diverse, ranging from self or individual; family and friends; colleagues, peers and teams; organizational; media and the wider public to specialized psychological support services. Colleagues and teams were most childcare centres' first line of support. Notably, like psychosocial support from self, family, organization, media and specialized support services, there were several caveats. Particularly, peer support was described to be a burden to other childcare providers. ConclusionsThere is a need to strengthen psychosocial support from colleagues and teams, as it was the most preferred support. Further, there is a need for preparedness and response plans concerning the psychosocial consequences in an outbreak. As such, organisations, governments and other health and wellbeing actors ought to put measures in place to curb not only the physical health of individuals but also their psychosocial wellbeing as well. We recommend that psychosocial support structures of all nature by key actors in organisations should be kept operating during and beyond a crisis. More research is needed to fully unpack the structural, systemic and individual barriers to accessing psychosocial support during and beyond a pandemic.

Childcare Director Perceptions of the Past Decade and What the Future Holds

In an effort to learn more about childcare directors’ perceptions, this study surveyed seventeen directors in southwest Ohio. The participants were asked about specific challenges they have experienced over the last decade, and how they envision the future of childcare. The results revealed that the topics most commonly discussed by directors were related to teacher shortages, retention of staff, and an increase in children’s behavior problems. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many of the issues mentioned by directors, especially with the addition of new state, federal, and licensing requirements. Many also feared the permanent closure of centers due to financial strains and a lack of resources at the state and federal level. The article concludes with implications for childcare directors to be able to move forward and continue providing high-quality care and education for children and families.

The State of Childcare: Exploring Childcare Center Directors' Perceptions on the Past, Present, and Future

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine childcare directors’ perceptions of the state of childcare centers throughout southwest Ohio. Seventeen directors were surveyed regarding the changes they have witnessed over the past decade, and how they envision the future of childcare. The results indicated that the childcare field has experienced many challenging issues such as, teacher retention, a lack of professionalism, and an increase in children’s behavior problems. In addition, directors discussed the need for higher pay to attract (and keep) qualified teachers. With added requirements from Ohio’s quality rating improvement system, programs were feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The COVID-19 pandemic also put a significant financial strain on programs, however, some directors believed that the pandemic helped to recognize the importance of childcare. The article concludes with recommendations for the future, and strategies to address the concerns discussed by the directors.

Co-creation and self-evaluation: An accountability mechanism process in water, sanitation and hygiene services delivery in childcare centres in Nairobi's informal settlements.

Accountability strategies are expected to enhance access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service delivery in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). Conventional formal social accountability mechanisms (SAMs) for WASH service delivery have been inadequate to meet the needs of residents in informal settlements in LMICs. This has prompted growing interest in alternative informal SAMs (iSAMs) in Nairobi's informal settlements. To date, iSAMs have shown a limited effect, often due to implementation failures and poor contextual fit. In childcare centers in Nairobi's informal settlements, co-creation of the iSAMs process, where parents, childcare managers, researchers and other WASH stakeholders, contribute to the design and implementation of iSAMs, is an approach with the potential to meet urgent WASH needs. However, to our knowledge, no study has documented (1) co-creating iSAMs processes for WASH service delivery in childcare centers and (2) self-evaluation of the co-creation process in the informal settlements. We used a qualitative approach where we collected data through workshops and focus group discussions to document and inform (a) co-creation processes of SAMs for WASH service delivery in childcare centers and (b) self-evaluation of the co-creation process. We used a framework approach for data analysis informed by Coleman's framework. Study participants co-created an iSAM process that entailed: definition; action and sharing information; judging and assessing; and learning and adapting iSAMs. The four steps were considered to increase the capability to meet WASH needs in childcare centers. We also documented a self-evaluation appraisal of the iSAM process. Study participants described that the co-creation process could improve understanding, inclusion, ownership and performance in WASH service delivery. Negative appraisals described included financial, structural, social and time constraints. We conclude that the co-creation process could address contextual barriers which are often overlooked, as it allows understanding of issues through the 'eyes' of people who experience service delivery issues. Further, we conclude that sustainable and equitable WASH service delivery in childcare centers in informal settlements needs research that goes beyond raising awareness to fully engage and co-create to ensure that novel solutions are developed at an appropriate scale to meet specific needs. We recommend that actors should incorporate co-creation in identification of feasible structures for WASH service delivery in childcare centers and other contexts.

A Report on the Management and Use of After-school Childcare in Hilly and Mountainous Areas

In this report, we studied the management and use of after-school childcare （ASC） in hilly and mountainous areas （HMA）. The case areas of this research were depopulated towns and villages in Gunma Prefecture, particularly Nanmoku Village and Kanna Town, where depopulation is increasing rapidly. The results were as follows : 1）ASC was necessary not only in urban areas but also in HMA because many children return from school to an empty home in HMA. In particular, in areas that had fewer parks due to their steep hillsides and the long distance between the houses where children lived ; places providing ASC are highly valued as children can to go outdoors, interact, and play together. However, the towns and villages where childcare is not free and the ASC only allows registration for children whose parents are not at home when school hours end ; therefore, not all children enjoy the functions of ASC in HMA. In those areas, children use other institutions, including systems, such as after-school child classes. 2）In some towns and villages, regardless of their status with respect to depopulation, there was no fee for ASC to support families raise children. On the other hand, moderate to high fees in Gunma Prefecture would be needed for the use of ASC in towns and villages that were designated as depopulated areas. 3）In Nanmoku Village and Kanna Town, almost every child was registered with ASC. The reasons for this were the free provision of ASC for all children as there were fewer elementary school children than the capacity for ASC, and there are few parks in these areas, particularly in Nanmoku Village.

Promoting child's growth and development in childcare centers

Introduction: Childcare centers are a type of daycare that is increasingly used by families all over the world. Indonesia is experiencing a similar trend. Childcare centers have essential roles in supporting child's growth and development in the center. This study aims to explore how childcare centers support the healthy growth and development of young children. Methods: A qualitative research approach using a case study design was used for exploring the perspectives of two childcare managers and eight teachers in two public and two private childcare centers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews of one hour each, audiotaped recorded with the participants' consent, were used to collect the data. Content analysis was used to generate findings from the data. Findings from the public and private centers were compared and contrasted to generate the study's overall findings.Results: The findings identified that childcare centers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, actively promote child growth and development by providing high-quality environments and services. The environment is safe, homelike, has high standards of cleanliness and sanitation, and provides appropriate toys and equipment. Services include nutrition, supervision, and health checks. Linking centers to the community was an essential strategy for improving the funds and resources needed to promote child growth and development. Conclusion: This study suggests that providing training for childcare workers, refining the curriculum, and developing stimulating activities for children in the center are needed.

Harsh choices: Chinese migrant families’ childcare strategies in Spain

ABSTRACT This study explores Chinese immigrant parents’ decision-making processes regarding childcare arrangements in Spain based on migration status and the availability of kinship networks. Drawing on 33 semi-structured interviews with Chinese parents who have preschool-aged children during the early stages of parenthood, this study reveals that Chinese immigrants’ childcare management is largely based on informal childcare provided by extended family members in both the host society and home country due to its high quality and flexibility, and because it transfers cultural values to the second generation. Moreover, migrant parents’ childcare needs are constantly negotiated within extended families due to the roles of grandparents’ care in other family members’ wellbeing. By exploring Chinese families’ collaborations, negotiations, and even conflicts in the childrearing decision-making process following families’ migration to a receiving country, our research contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of migration and the role of kinship networks in ethnic minority groups’ childcare choices.

Challenges Faced by Childcare Directors During COVID-19: Leading During A Global Pandemic.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10643-022-01398-z.

S11-2 Cooperative planning with coaching elements in childcare centres: a qualitative investigation of childcare directors' perspectives

BackgroundInterventions to promote health-enhancing physical activity in early childhood education and care settings are most successful when tailored to the specific needs of each childcare centre and providing ongoing support to address context-specific barriers. Our research project therefore initiated organizational development processes in 12 childcare centres in Southern Germany supported by coaching and self-assessment tools. The staff of each centre was instructed to set three centre-specific SMART goals targeting physical activity and to use Goal Attainment Scaling in order to track the success at implementation. This qualitative study aims at exploring childcare centre directors' views on the guided planning process and identifying facilitators and barriers for its implementation.MethodsWe conducted guided semi-structured interviews with the directors of the centres after the 12- month organizational development process. 9 out of 12 directors were interviewed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis with inductive category development.ResultsChildcare directors mainly considered themselves to be the person with the greatest responsibility for the success of the process. The coaching was regarded as helpful for structuring the process, involving the whole team and becoming clearer about goals. Several factors were identified as facilitators: a beneficial personnel situation, the intrinsic motivation of staff, good team cooperation, a high priority of physical activity, previous experience with similar projects, pressure for change, individual drivers, a good infrastructure, parents' support and support from the administrating organization. Reported barriers included team conflicts, lack of willingness to accept change and shortness of time.ConclusionsSeveral contextual and interpersonal factors seem to influence the extent to which a cooperative planning process can be implemented by the staff of a childcare centre. The results help understand the process of change as a complex interventional system in which the intervention cannot be considered separately from the context.

Informal social accountability mechanisms for water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in childcare centres in Nairobi City County's informal settlements

Social accountability for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is a critical component to realising child rights to WASH services by the urban poor, more so in childcare centres. Despite the existence of discrete social accountability mechanisms (SAMs) in informal settlements, informal SAMs rarely form part of strategic approaches to addressing social accountability challenges in access to WASH services in childcare centres. The main objective of the study was to explore informal social accountability mechanisms for WASH in childcare centres in Korogocho and Viwandani informal settlements in Nairobi City County, Kenya. This qualitative study was an ethnography, where we administered governance diaries to 24 participants (parents and childcare managers) for 4 months. Data generated were analysed using a framework analysis derived from a principal-stewardship framework. Parents and centre managers, who are key actors for WASH services in childcare centres in informal settlements, relied on using informal SAMs. We identified three SAMs; (i) discretionary behaviours (rewards and sanctions, interpretation of rules and guidelines and peer mentorship); (ii) norms and values; and (iii) facilitative behaviours. The SAMs were interrelated and operated in synergy for access to WASH service by children in childcare centres. The SAMs for WASH used by parents and childcare owners in childcare centres encountered the following challenges; unrealistic expectations, negligence, conflicting expectations, conflicting agenda and administrative cultures, and tensions over performance standards and monitoring. Identified strategies for strengthening the SAMs included consistency in adhering to rules and guidelines for WASH service provision, and collaboration with strong WASH actors. Data from this study suggest it is valuable to examine and understand SAMs as this then offers clear pathways to mitigate problems and enact change in the WASH service delivery for improved global agenda of SDG 4 and SDG 6. Further, there is potential for joint advocacy for improved WASH services throughout the informal settlement. While SAMs are often conceptualised as a formal process or an intervention, this study shows that existing daily informal SAMs play an important role in promoting or maintaining WASH service delivery. Therefore, WASH stakeholders need to revisit, co-develop and evaluate informal SAMs for WASH service delivery.

The Impact of the Implementation of Preventive Measures Due to COVID-19 on Work Design and Early Childhood Professionals' Well-Being-A Qualitative Study.

The reopening of child-care programs during COVID-19 demanded comprehensive preventive measures. Research to date has overlooked this reopening process as well as early childhood professionals’ (ECPs) implementation efforts and resulting changes in their work practices and well-being. As a result, this study sought insights into (1) the practical implementation of measures, (2) perceptions and evaluations of measures, (3) changes in work characteristics, and (4) its impact on well-being. Qualitative interviews were conducted with German child-care managers (N = 27) between June and August 2020. The semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and content-analyzed using MAXQDA. ECPs, through a combination of high effort and engagement, ensured the feasibility of most preventive measures. This included practices which were perceived to be unreasonable or ones which were stricter than practices required for the public. This exacerbated the critical work characteristics (e.g., high workload, overtime, and multitasking) from pre-pandemic scenarios and led to new work demands (e.g., changes in work content and social interactions). ECPs maintained intensive work demands and consequently suffered from broad strain outcomes (e.g., worry, exhaustion, anger, fear of infection, and reduced psychological sense of community). This study highlights the adverse psychosocial work environment of ECPs despite the necessity of ensuring health and safety at work.

Leadership Styles in Childcare Directors.

Leadership is of paramount importance to any organization, as leaders can set the tone for the organization’s employees. The path to leadership in childcare can be markedly different from other professions, as there is no qualifying criteria; however, previous research has identified that for leaders to be effective they must possess skills, characteristics, and traits of effective leadership. The present study used The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) (in Bass and Avolio, Multifactor leadership questionnaire (TM), Mind Garden, Inc., Menlo Park, 1995) with childcare directors to determine their self-identified leadership styles including transformational, transactional, and passive/avoidant to determine if their leadership style was consistent with recommendations from the field. Results suggest that childcare directors who remain in the role of managers (displaying either transactional or passive/avoidant leadership styles) do not provide the leadership needed to provide a high quality of education for young children, which is consistent with previous research. This research echoes concern from the field for credentialing of childcare directors.

Expanding Surveillance Toward Sharing Data with the Community: Qualitative Insights from a Childcare Center Illness Surveillance Program.

Childcare attendance is a recognized independent risk factor for pediatric infectious diseases due to the pathogen-sharing behaviors of young children and the crowded environments of childcare programs. The Michigan Child Care Related Infections Surveillance Program (MCRISP) is a novel online illness surveillance network used by community childcare centers to track disease incidence. It has been used to warn local public health departments about emerging outbreaks. The flow of data from MCRISP, however, remains largely unidirectional-from data reporter to public health researchers. With the intent to ultimately improve the system for users, we wanted to better understand how community illness data collected by MCRISP might best benefit childcare stakeholders themselves. Using a ground-up design approach, we conducted a series of focus groups among childcare directors participating in MCRISP. All primary data reporters from each of the 30 MCRISP-affiliated childcare centers were eligible to participate in the focus groups. A thematic assessment from the focus groups revealed that participants wanted surveillance system improvements that would (1) support subjective experiences with objective data, (2) assist with program decision making, (3) provide educational resources, and (4) prioritize the user's experience. Our findings support a framework by which community disease surveillance networks can move toward greater transparency and 2-way data flow. Ultimately, a more mutually beneficial surveillance system improves stakeholder engagement, provides opportunities for rapid mitigation strategies, and can help allocate timely resources in responding to emerging outbreaks and pandemics.