Community Child Care Centers Research Articles

A Scoping Review of Research Trends in Forest Therapy Programs by Subject Types: Focused on KCD-8

Background and objective: This study reviewed forest therapy program studies by applying the scoping review methodology to provide recommendations for future research and basic data for the development of forest therapy programs.Methods: Data collection was conducted from April 1 to 5, 2022 using South Korean literature databases (RISS, KISS, Science ON, DBpia) and international literature databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE). Focusing on papers published by March 31, 2022, while considering the publication year, we finally selected 118 papers (99 from South Korea and 19 from other countries).Results: Starting with the first study in 1996, research in South Korea was conducted in earnest since 2006. The study subjects primarily comprised those who were vulnerable to stress, such as office and labor workers, children at community child care centers, and families of patients, followed by mental health and physical patients. In terms of program characteristics, the site types primarily included general forests and forest welfare facilities, and in terms of seasons, summer accounted for the highest proportion, followed by spring and fall, which showed similar proportions. The programs primarily included one-day multiple-session and lodging types. Upon examining the structure of the programs, we observed that the majority of lodging type programs were 3 days and 2 nights programs and 2 days and 1night programs. In contrast, one-day multiple-session programs were primarily conducted in a once-a-week cycle, with 6 to 10 sessions.Conclusion: Through the results of this study, we examined the current status and scope of forest therapy program research. The findings are expected to be used as a basis for expanding forest therapy program research to collaborate with stakeholders in the health and medical fields in the future.

Effects of Multidisciplinary Health Promotion Program Among Children in Community Childcare Center.

Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0002718.

An Examination of Suspension & Expulsion in Community Childcare Centers Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Suspension and expulsion have been documented concerns in childcare centers throughout the United States for nearly 20 years. This study examined suspension and expulsion practices in community childcare centers two years into the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2022). Survey data from 131 administrators of community childcare programs were analyzed. It was found that at least 67 individual children were reported expelled across 131 programs, a rate similar to pre-pandemic rates and higher than rates at the height of the pandemic. For suspension, 136 individual children were suspended from early learning programs during this time; a rate almost double pre-pandemic levels. Factors (availability of support, prior suspensions, suggesting the program is not a match, reported turnover, waiting lists, enrollment capacity, administrator reported stress, and teacher perceived stress) were examined to determine if they predicted expulsion. None of these factors significantly predicted expulsion. These results and their limitations and implications are discussed.

Diet-Related Disparities and Childcare Food Environments for Vulnerable Children in South Korea: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Diet-related disparities that have often been observed in vulnerable families may play a negative role in children's health and health-related quality of life. In South Korea, an afterschool care policy, called Community Childcare Center (CCC), was established in the 1960s to protect and educate vulnerable children; this role has expanded to provide meal services in recent times. Therefore, the CCCs' food environment has become a pivotal platform for observing children's nutrition and health-related disparities. Using a mixed-methods approach including a survey with self-reported questionnaires, field observation, and participant interviews, the food environment of CCC was explored alongside children's eating behaviors. Eating behaviors were not as healthy as expected. Although service providers and cooks reported in the survey responses that the centers' food environment was healthy, participant observations and interviews revealed a significant gap. Establishing a standardized food environment and improving the nutrition literacy of workers as a significant human resource at a CCC can promote healthy eating for vulnerable children. The findings suggest that in the absence of steps to improve the food environment of CCC, diet-related disparities may affect children's health in the future.

Routine saliva testing for SARS-CoV-2 in children: Methods for partnering with community childcare centers.

While considerable attention was placed on SARS-CoV-2 testing and surveillance programs in the K-12 setting, younger age groups in childcare centers were largely overlooked. Childcare facilities are vital to communities, allowing parents/guardians to remain at work and providing safe environments for both children and staff. Therefore, early in the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2020), we established a PCR-based COVID-19 surveillance program in childcare facilities, testing children and staff with the goal of collecting actionable public health data and aiding communities in the progressive resumption of standard operations and ways of life. In this study we describe the development of a weekly saliva testing program and provide early results from our experience implementing this in childcare centers. We enrolled children (aged 6 months to 7 years) and staff at seven childcare facilities and trained participants in saliva collection using video chat technology. Weekly surveys were sent out to assess exposures, symptoms, and vaccination status changes. Participants submitted weekly saliva samples at school. Samples were transported to a partnering clinical laboratory or RT-PCR testing using SalivaDirect and results were uploaded to each participant's online patient portal within 24 h. SARS-CoV-2 screening and routine testing programs have focused less on the childcare population, resulting in knowledge gaps in this critical age group, especially as many are still ineligible for vaccination. SalivaDirect testing for SARS-CoV-2 provides a feasible method of asymptomatic screening and symptomatic testing for children and childcare center staff. Given the relative aversion to nasal swabs in younger age groups, an at-home saliva collection method provides an attractive alternative, especially as a routine surveillance tool. Results can be shared rapidly electronically through participants' private medical chart portals, and video chat technology allows for discussion and instruction between investigators and participants. This study fosters a cooperative partnership with participating childcare centers, parents/guardians, and staff with the goal of mitigating COVID-19 transmission in childcare centers. Age-related challenges in saliva collection can be overcome by working with parents/guardians to conceptualize new collection strategies and by offering parents/guardians continued virtual guidance and support.

An Interactive Live and Online Cooking Program for Children in Vulnerable Families-An Exploratory Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology for communication and social interactions. Especially for children in low-income families-a vulnerable population suffering from health and digital disparities-the situation worsened during the pandemic. Earlier studies in times of COVID-19 suggested that the children in Korea who usually do homework and dine at community childcare centers (CCCCs, free after-school care places) need to learn more about how to eat healthily and how to interact with others using digital technology. Therefore, to reduce these children's health and digital inequalities, an interactive live and online cooking program was developed and provided to 313 children and 95 staff members at the 29 CCCCs located in the southern provinces in South Korea. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of children and staff with the program. After surveying their experiences, a high degree of satisfaction was found (children: 3.60 ± 0.10; staff: 3.63 ± 0.08 points out of 4.00). Aspects that needed improvement in the program were related to (in)experience in online technology, the frequency and timing of the cooking classes, and the communication between the centers and (online) chefs. In addition, in a word cloud analysis, terms such as 'fun', 'delicious', and 'want' were highlighted for children, and terms such as 'participating' and 'preparation' dominantly appeared for the staff. In the analysis of negative experiences, terms related to environmental factors such as 'sound', 'hear', and 'voice' were highlighted. This novel but preliminary approach for children from low-income families, by integrating cooking with digital technology, indicates that with enough digital support, the CCCCs are a promising platform to promote healthy eating and digital literacy. Optimizing and disseminating these strategies during this pandemic period, and future pandemics, could be beneficial to keep children in their communities healthy, and ultimately reduce socioeconomic health disparities.

Engaging the Community Child Care Centers to Achieve Nutritious Menu Plan and Vegetable Intake Promotion for Preschoolers in Ubon Ratchathani

ObjectivesFood and nutrition during childhood plays a crucial role for child’s growth and development. In Thailand, community child care center established by a Local Authority Organization provides early childhood education and growth development support to a rural child. This research aims to develop a nutritious menu for lunch meal served in the community child care centers. MethodsThis research used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) for engaging the community child care centers to achieve nutritious menu plan and vegetable intake promotion for preschoolers in Ubon Ratchathani. There were 105 participants joined the research. The intervention includes increasing nutrition knowledge of the cookers, teachers, and parents of children. The development of 1-moth menu planning by the collaboration group participants was conducted. The statistical analysis involved frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Paired t–test. The selected nutritive value of developed menu was analyzed by Inmucal program Version 3.0. ResultsThe participants agreed to use the developed menu-cycle to serve children in all centers with approval from the local government organization. There were significantly increasing of diet and nutrition knowledge scores of the participants (from 11.56 to 12.61). After the intervention, it was found that creating policy guidelines set by the local administrative can lead to improvement of nutritive value of the developed menu. ConclusionsThe community child care center is suitable for promoting nutrition of preschool children in rural area. This research used the participatory action research to involve of cookers, teachers, and parents in designing nutritious menu cycle served in the child care center. This strategy may helpful for child care providers to ensure quality lunch meal for preschool children. Funding SourcesUbon Ratchathani Rajabhat University (UBRU), Thailand.

Associations between program quality and expulsion of infants and young children from community childcare settings

Children under five are expelled at high rates from early learning settings, yet little research discusses the relationship between program quality and expulsion. This study examined the relationship between program quality (accreditation, quality rating system participation, child:teacher ratios, suggesting programs are not a match, administrator education and experience, expulsion beliefs, and perceptions of support) and expulsion decisions. Data from 314 community childcare centers throughout one northeastern state in the United States showed 35.7% (n = 112) expelled at least one child in the previous 12 months. QRIS participation, suggestion programs are not a match, expulsion beliefs, and child:teacher ratios were all found to be significant predictors of expulsion. Results indicate that several factors typically associated with quality do not act as protective factors against expulsion.

Expulsion from Community Childcare Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of One State's Practices.

Expulsion has been a well-documented practice in early learning centers throughout the United States. The present study attempted to describe expulsion practices in one state’s community childcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys from 161 childcare program administrators were analyzed and, overall, expulsion rates appeared to be lower than they were pre-pandemic. No association was found between whether a program closed and reopened or remained open; the presence of a waiting list; if a program readmitted all or some children; factors that influenced which teachers were rehired; training provided to teaching staff; perceived frequency and intensity of challenging behavior; and availability of support for children with challenging behaviors and expulsion decisions. Results of the current study are analyzed and discussed in this article along with the results and how they fit into the literature.

Effectiveness of an after-school English program at a community childcare center in Korea

Community childcare centers in Korea are established mainly for students from low-income family for the purpose of protecting and educating children in the community. English program is one of the most important program at the centers. This study investigated the effectiveness of an after-school English program at a community childcare center in a region of Seoul, Korea. Students registered in this English program were encouraged to participate in an online survey using a google form to fill out the questionnaire via a computer or mobile phone. Survey questions included effectiveness of the program, students’ satisfaction, and most helpful class activity for learning English. A semi-structured interview was conducted to gather students’ views on the program. Nine students among who completed online survey and volunteered for interview. Collected survey data were statistically analyzed using SAS Enterprise Guide 7.12. Final survey data set includes 11 respondents. The overall satisfaction with the after-school English program was high for both contents and effectiveness. High school students and student who participated in the program for more than six months chose the free conversation activity as the most helpful. The mean score for debates was the highest among all activities for English writing. The survey provided an opportunity for students to report their levels of satisfaction with the program. Results of this study indicate that students are satisfied with the English program at the community childcare centers overall and, that the performance of the lecturer can be categorized very well. This study provides insights into the need and direction of English education for students from low-income families. This study will serve as a basis to develop specialized and quality English programs for successful English learning of low-income students, and facilitate the continuous improvement process.

Effectiveness of a combined obesity prevention program in South Korea for children from low-income families that included primary caregiver participation

PurposeObesity among children from low-income families is becoming a social problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an obesity prevention program that included physical activity, nutrition education, behavioral modification, and primary caregiver participation components among children from low-income families.MethodsThe study analyzed a nonequivalent control group using a pretest-posttest design. A total of 77 children were recruited from six community childcare centers using purposive sampling. For the intervention group (n=40), the pretest was administered before the combined intervention program involving the participants' primary caregivers was conducted for 8 weeks. The posttest was conducted immediately after the program and again four weeks after the program.ResultsFlexibility (F=4.64, p=.020), muscular endurance (F=11.22, p<.001), nutritional knowledge scores (F=4.79, p=.010), body image satisfaction scores (F=4.74, p=.012), and self-esteem scores (F=3.81, p=.029) showed significant differences and interactions between group and time for the intervention and control groups.ConclusionStrategies to actively engage the primary caregivers of low-income families in children's obesity programs are needed. Obesity prevention programs for children based on the program in this study should be routinely developed, and continuing attention should be given to children from low-income families.

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.

Promoting the performance of community childcare centers using the insight from behavioral economics: application of the last-place aversion and first-place seeking theory

ABSTRACT This study examines whether the performance level of community childcare centers that receive financial subsidy from governments can be improved by incorporating the insight from behavioral economics. Specifically, we test empirically whether incorporating the ‘last-place aversion’ and ‘first-place seeking’ theory into the performance evaluation system is beneficial for promoting the performance level of these governmentally funded facilities. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that the facilities are sensitive to being placed in the lowest and first rank. The effect of being placed in the former is, however, stronger than the latter. We argue that incorporating the two theories is beneficial for making the facilities accountable for their performance.

Social Ecological Barriers for Healthy Eating of Obese Children and Their Caregivers in Low-income Families in South Korea

ABSTRACT In this qualitative study, the focus is on healthy eating in children from low-income families who visit a Community Child Care center (CCC) in South Korea. Barriers for healthy eating were identified using focus group interviews with low-income overweight and obese children and their caregivers and applying a social ecological model as well as the framework analysis for qualitative data. The need for theory- and evidence-based health promotion interventions is indicated, at the level of the family, but also at the level of collaboration among all stakeholders, as well as multi-level policy changes.

Expelled from Childcare: Suspension and Expulsion Practices in One State’s Community Childcare Centers

Suspension and expulsion, typically thought of as discipline practices for high school students, occur at the early childhood level. In fact, 3- and 4-year old children are suspended and expelled from school at a rate three times that of their teenage counterparts (Gilliam, Foundation for Child Development, 2005). In many states, legislation exists preventing the suspension and expulsion of our youngest learners; however, such legislation often does not apply to community (private) childcare programs that are not receiving federal or state funding. This study attempted to comprehensively assess the prevalence of suspension and expulsion practices in one state’s community childcare centers. It explored the characteristics of suspended/expelled students, childcare program demographics, and the reasons childcare centers cited for their chosen disciplinary actions. Data from 368 participants found that 199 individual children were suspended in a 12-month period and the most common reason cited for these suspensions was that the child was hurting others. In this timeframe, 196 individual children were expelled, also most often for hurting others. The majority of administrators reported that they did not have the resources to support a child displaying challenging behaviors. Finally, the authors discuss implications for program administrators, state legislation, and funding.

취약계층 아동의 비만예방을 위한 비만관련요인 - 지역아동센터를 중심으로 -

본 연구에서는 취약계층 아동의 비만 형성에 대한 요인으로 식이 자기효능감, 신체적 자기효능감 및 아동이 지각하는 부모양육태도와의 관련성을 확인하므로 향후 취약계층 아동비만을 관리하는 간호중재 개발을 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 시도되었다. 본 연구의 대상자는 K도 A시에 소재한 11개의 지역아동센터 방문하는 아동 중 취약계층 아동으로 본 연구에 참여하고자 부모와 아동이 함께 서면 동의한 대상자로 조사하였다. 수집된 자료는 SPSS Win(ver. 22.0)프로그램을 이용하여 백분율, 평균과 표준편차, t-test, ANOVA, pearson

Associations Between Child and Administrator Race and Suspension and Expulsion Rates in Community Childcare Programs

Suspension is defined as a temporary removal from the educational setting where a child is able to return after a determined period of time, while expulsion is the complete and permanent removal of a child from an entire educational system (Gilliam and Shahar 2006). Preschool children have been found to be both suspended and expelled at higher rates than school-aged children (Cutler and Gilkerson 2002; Gilliam 2005; Gilliam and Shahar 2006). It has been reported that 50,000 preschoolers were suspended at least once; another 17,000 were estimated to have been expelled (Malik 2017). However, much of this information had been collected from public preschool programs. Although many factors contribute to the high suspension and expulsion rates of young children, race has risen to the forefront as a possible contributing correlate to disproportionality (Kunesh and Noltemeyer 2019; U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 2016a, b). More specifically, children of color have been found to be at increased risk for being suspended and expelled (U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 2016a, b). In addition to addressing the gap in research by reporting suspension and expulsion data from one state’s community childcare centers, this paper also examines the disproportionality of suspensions and expulsions in these programs. The impact of director race on early childhood suspension and expulsion is also considered as a contributing factor.

Service Providers’ Perspectives on Barriers of Healthy Eating to Prevent Obesity among Low-income Children Attending Community Childcare Centers in South Korea: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify individual and socio-ecological barriers in managing healthy eating among low-income children from the perspective of community childcare (CCC) center workers (n = 18) through focus group interviews. They perceived the increase in obesity among low-income children. The interviews revealed that the child’s eating habits are affected by not only individual determinants including self-regulation and risk awareness but also environmental factors such as family, CCC centers, policy and social structure. To enhance children’s health and behavior, it is necessary to consider the interactions among systems at a variety of levels, for example, local community and health care policies.

Current Barriers of Obesity Management of Children Using Community Child Care Centers and Potential Possibility of Utilizing Mobile Phones: A Qualitative Study for Children and Caregivers

Current Barriers of Obesity Management of Children Using Community Child Care Centers and Potential Possibility of Utilizing Mobile Phones: A Qualitative Study for Children and Caregivers

A Study on Improving Operation of Center for Children’s Foodservice Management through IPA Analysis

이 논문은 어린이급식관리지원센터(이하 센터)의 설립배경, 기능, 현황 그리고 조직적 특성을 알아본 다음 센터의 운영과정에 영향을 미치는 요소들을 중심으로 IPA 분석을 시행하였고, 끝으로 센터에 대한 정책적 시사점을 제시하였다. 센터는 지역사회의 어린이집, 유치원, 지역아동센터 등에 대한 영양 및 위생 서비스 제공을 통해 어린이들의 건강을 돌보는 지방자치단체 산하조직이다. 센터는 국가와 지방자치단체가 재정을 분담하나 그 운영은 인근 대학 또는 지방자치단체가 설립한 사단법인이 담당한다. 센터의 인력은 단기의 계약직 직원으로고, 이들은 공무를 수행함에도 공무원의 신분보장 혜택은 받지 못하고 있다. IPA 분석 결과 중요도와 수행도가 다 높은 강점영역에는 기획, 동료협력, 위생서비스, 영양서비스, 메뉴서비스, 어린이교육, 조리원교육, 원장.교사교육 등 센터의 핵심 산출 관련 사항들이 포함되었다. 반면, 중요도는 높으나 수행도는 낮은 중점 관리영역으로는 예산, 인력, 지자체 지원, 급식소 지원, 급여, 신분보장, 인력개발 등이 제시되었다. 끝으로 이 논문은 직원의 고용안정성 강화, 직원의 급여확충, 지방자치단체의 지원강화, 행정전담직원의 의무채용, 직원인력개발의 적극화 등을 정책적 시사점으로 제시하였다.This paper examines the establishment background, function, status, and organizational characteristics of the Center for Children’s Foodservice Management (CCFM) and then conducts an IPA analysis focusing on factors affecting theCCFM s operation process and finally policy implications were presented. CCFM is a subsidiary of a local government that takes care of the health of children by providing nutrition and hygiene services to community daycare centers, kindergartens and community child care centers. As a result of the IPA analysis, the areas of high importance and high perf ormance included the core outputs of CCFM such as planning, peer cooperation, hygiene service, nutrition service, menu service, children s education, cook education, director and teacher education. On the other hand, the areas of high importance but low performance were budget, manpower, local government support, meal support, salary, security, and human resource development. Finally, this paper suggests policy implications such as strengthening the employment stability of employees, increasing the salaries of employees, strengthening the support of local governments, recruiting administrative staff, and promoting the development of human resources.