ABSTRACT

 The study assessed the management of childcare centers in Umuahia and its environs. Result from the study review that Nursery/Kindergarten was the best type of childcare center children attends in Umuahia; others were Day Care and Nanny Care. Play time, Resting time, Sleeping time, Story time, Poems, Prayer time, Drama time, Reading time and Watching cartoons are the activities included in the childcare centers children attend in Umuahia. The Hygienic conditions of childcare centers in Umuahia were Clean classroom, Clean toilet, Washing hands before eating, Washing hands after using the toilet, Neat surroundings, Sanitized toys, Designated refuse dump, Proper food storage, and Trash cans lined with polythene. Result also review that the standard of services rendered by the childcare centers in Umuahia are Expensive school fees, Few caregivers, High quality caregivers, and low quality caregivers. The study therefore recommended that activities planned by the childcare centers in Umuahia should be increased so as to give the children sense of home. Also childcare facilities, hygienic conditions of childcare centers, standard of services rendered by the childcare centers in Umuahia should be taken into policy considerations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page  i                                                                                                                 

Approval        ii

Certification      iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents  vi

List of tables  vii

Abstract  viii

 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study 1

1.2       Statement of problem 4                                                                                  

1.3       Objective of the study 5

1.4       Research questions 5

1.5       Significance of the study 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1      Conceptual Framework 8

2.1.1   Influence of working mothers on childcare 10

2.1.2   Positive Influence of Child Care Centers 11

2.1.3   Health Care and Safety Practices Adopted by Caregivers 13

2.2      Theoretical Framework 15

2.2.1   Emotional and Psychological Development 15

2.2.2   Cognitive Development 16

2.2.3   Physical Development    20

2.2.4   Language Development 20

2.2.5   Social Development 22

2.2.6   Social Play 23

2.3      Related Empirical Studies 24

2.4      Summary of Literature 26

 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1      Research Design  28

3.2      Area of the study 28

3.3      Population of the Study 29

3.4      Sample and Sampling Technique 29

3.5      Instrument for Data Collection 29

3.6      Validation of the Instrument 29

3.7      Data Collection Technique 30                                                                                                                                     

3.8      Data Analysis Technique 30

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1     Demographic Data of Respondents 31

4.2.1   Research Question 1    32

4.2.2   Research Question 2    34

4.2.3   Research Question 3  36

4.2.4   Research Question 4    37

4.2.5   Research Question 5    39

4.2.6   Research Question 6    41

 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1      Summary 44

5.1.1   Restatement of Problem    44

5.1.2    Description of Procedure Used 44

5.1.3     Major Findings 44

5.2       Conclusion 45

5.3        Recommendation    45

5.4        Suggestion for Further Studies  46

5.5         Contribution to Knowledge 46

 REFERENCE