ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DAY-CARE CENTERS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the availability and implementation of safety precautions in day-care centers in Gombe State, Nigeria. Six objectives, five research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated as guide to the study. Among the objectives was to identify safety measures at the day-care centers. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 880 day-care givers in 340 day-care centers registered under Gombe state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The sample size used for the study was 240. Checklist and semi structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation and null hypotheses were tested using t-test and PPMC statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed amongst others that good toilet system, spacious and ventilated classrooms accident free environment are among the available safety precautions and a significant difference exist between the safety measures in public and private day-care centers. Significant relationship exists between availability of safety precaution and adequacy of safety precaution in day-care centers. Based on the findings it was concluded that child safety precaution measures are adequately available in good condition and well implemented in public and private day-care centres. The implication of this finding is that children would have good care and safety during the day time while their parents are in work place. It was recommended amongst others that Gombe State Ministry of Education should make provision of adequate security and fencing of public day care centers and the Ministry of Education should make it mandatory for all private day care proprietors to conform to Health Safety and Environmental Standard (HSE) as this will provide proper safety and mutual respect amongst pupils in public and private day care centers in Gombe State.