Determinants of Health and Safety Conditions of Early Childhood Care and Development Centres in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Ghana has an obligation to ensure that children grow, survive, develop and receive protection through the establishment of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services. The quality of care provided to children in any kind of ECCD centre is very important in that the higher the quality of care the better the developmental outcomes. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to assess the health and safety conditions of ECCD centres in Cape Coast Metropolis (C.C.M.) of Ghana and identify the determinants of these conditions. Data was collected from all the 160 ECCD centres, all 160 ECCD centre Heads and all 462 ECCD teachers. Eight Heads and eight teachers were also interviewed. Descriptive statistics showed that physical environment of ECCD centres in C.C.M. was of a fair quality. ECCD centres met most of the health and safety practices. However, two themes were identified as explanations to why play yards in ECCD centres were not good: “Funds” and “Government”. The theme identified as explanation to why centres were not requiring copies of doctor’s reports was: “We don’t bother to ask”. Four themes identified as explanations to why hand sanitizers were not used were: “Water and soap”, “Expensive”, “Teachers have” and "Some children have”. Chi-square analysis revealed that private ECCD centres were likely to meet recommended health and safety practices. Four themes came up as explanations to why private centres were better: "National cake”, "For profit”, Nice facility” and "Responsible parents”. In explaining why specialized training in ECCD was not associated with health and safety practices, three themes came up: "Desire”, "A calling” and "Skill”. Implications for best practices, conclusions and recommendations were made.