Early childhood development practices from the perspective of caregivers in Ga-Dikgale community
Date
2019
Authors
Walford, Michelle
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Abstract
Background: Early Childhood Development (ECD) practices can shape the outcome of a child’s life into adulthood, and caregivers are key in ensuring that proper ECD care is provided. Following the principles of Self-Efficacy Theory as a theoretical framework, the caregivers’ perceptions of the care provided can affect the development outcomes of the children in their care.
This was a qualitative study that used Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and facilitylevel questionnaires to explore the current ECD practices in the Ga-Dikgale community, Limpopo, from the perspective of the caregivers who provide ECD services. Quantitative data were also collected to give context to the study, through facilitated questionnaires. This research sought to explore how the caregivers at ECD facilities in Ga-Dikgale perceive ECD practices in Ga-Dikgale. The aim of the research was to explore the perceptions of caregivers working at ECD facilities with regard to ECD practices in Ga-Dikgale.
Methods: The study included 32 facilitated interviews with a representative of each ECD facility, and five FGDs with a total of 33 participants. Qualitative data were collected through FGDs and analysed using MaxQDA. Quantitative data were collected on both a facility and participant level to complement the qualitative data and provide context to the responses from the FGDs. The Quantitative data were analysed using Excel.
Results: The deductive themes from the study included: defining ECD; the importance of ECD; ECD activities; ECD infrastructure and equipment; ECD priorities for providing care; and community engagement. The following inductive themes emerged: caregivers’ personal lives; relationships with stakeholders; and the needs and requirements for the respective ECD facilities. The results show that experiences vary across the participants with regard to community support and their relationship with stakeholders.
Conclusion: The respondents recognise the importance of ECD in the shorter term, for school readiness and child protection. While a loving and nurturing environment is provided, respondents do not appear to recognise the importance of their own roles in the development of the children in their care. There is a consistent focus on areas of concern or lacking as opposed to the importance of the work being done. A lower sense of self-efficacy among caregivers may have adverse effects on the development outcomes of the children in their care.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Public Health, Johannesburg 2019