Quality assessments of early childhood care and development (ECCD) centers in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council area and caregiver factors affecting quality.

Abstract

Only 11 of the centers were rated as good quality with 89 rated as minimal and inadequate quality, Health and safety provisions were of minimal quality in all centers. 13 of the centers were not registered with any authority. 25 of the caregivers were not trained in ECCD and more than 50 had low levels of knowledge of the ECCD concepts, The centre quality ratings were dependent on caregiver knowledge in ECCD especially the quality of language use and interactions. Therefore all ECCD centers should be registered standards of centre quality and caregiver training should be specified. Implementation of these standards should be supported by legislative enactment and minimal levels of quality that has to be specified. The caregiver training programms should be standardized and the current caregivers' level of knowledge of ECCD concepts should be improved.