Childcare Services in the Emerging Daycare Centers of Addis Ababa Status, Practices, and Lessons

Abstract

Recent developments are witnessing an emerging expansion of daycare services for children of age 3 and less. The purpose of this study was to explore the status, practices, and effectiveness of these emerging daycare services in Addis Ababa. The study employed a sample of 10 daycare centers found in KolfeKaranio and Nefas Silk sub-cities. The participants of the study were parents (n=100), caregivers (n=27), daycarecenter owners (n=4), and early childhood care and education (ECCE) focal persons (n=2). Data were collected using questionnaire, interview, and observation form. Findings indicated that there was an enabling policy framework but without standards, guides and manuals for caregivers. Administrative, coordinating, and supervisory offices were missed and many of the centers were not licensed, guided, supervised and monitored. They lacked the required texture of a ‘professional daycare service’ in establishing and sustaining a stimulating, consistent, responsive and caring environment. Hence, the daycare centers seemed to be more of a stay site rather than agents of development for ITs. In fact, further research is needed to examine the impacts of these daycare services particularly on the ITs.