Assessment of the quality of childcare centres in the Colombo municipal council area

Abstract

Background: There are 2 dimensions of childcare quality: process and structure. The interactions, activities, materials, learning opportunities, health and safety routines refer to process quality. Structural quality includes the group size, adultchild ratio and professional training of staff. No large scale studies are available on the quality of Sri Lankan childcare centres. Objectives: To assess the quality of preschool and day care centres in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area and to evaluate how structural inputs and cost influence the process quality. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study Method: Process quality was assessed using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale-Revised. The cost and structural quality was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Overall process quality was mediocre, with 25% preschools being of poor quality and 6% being of good quality. Over half the centres did not have appropriate number of staff. Eighty percent of child groups were larger than appropriate. Only 8% of centres were led by a graduate. Of the teachers, 90% had preschool teacher training. Smaller student groups cared for by a higher number of staff had significantly higher process quality. Better quality preschools cost more. Conclusions: The quality of care provided by childcare centres in the 6 Medical Officer of Health areas of CMC area was mediocre.