Parent's satisfaction on effective daycare centers

Abstract

The present economic situation in the world and increasing needs of people force for the both parents to work. This creates a void in the society for a third party to provide a child care service in the absence of both parents during some period of time in the day. In this research it is looking at the parents’ satisfaction on effective day care centers. For the above purpose a survey was carried out using a questionnaire among professionals and the data were analysed. The information obtained through data analysis illustrates that parents expected facilities from the day care centers, duration for which parents are seeking for child care facility, extend up to which parents looking for child care facility and what extend the modern technology can be used to improve the services in child care facility. Analysis revealed that the majority of spouses of professionals are employed and they seek child care facility for their children during day time and over 50% professionals are having two or more children. A large number of parents are still expecting relative care for their children and they believe that it is trustworthy and reliable. However as far as day care centers are concern, parents commented that quality of day care centers in Sri Lanka is very poor and need to improve with usage of new technology. Parents also highlighted that there is need of government’s regulatory agency for day care centers and need to conduct inspection of care centers time to time to maintain the quality. Research also indicates that over 50 percent of professionals expect care center personal to pick up their children from the school/nursery and to provide lunch for them. The parents show importance to have clean & safe environment, education, training & experience of the staff, physical environment/ arrangement, number of staff available, toys and other playing equipments available, structured programme and readiness to pay a reasonable fee for a good quality care centers. Professionals also expect care center to use new technologies at centers and there is indication that parents are very comfortable at work when children are at good quality care center.