Parental expectations of and satisfaction with the services of preschool centres

Abstract

Purpose-This paper aims to study parental expectations of and satisfaction with overall services of preschool centres and to determine the factors which affect parents' satisfaction in a part of one of Thailand's southern provinces. Design/methodology/approach-Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from parents of children attending 29 day-care or preschool centres in Songkhla Province, South Thailand, over a two-month period in the Spring 2014. The data were analysed mainly using descriptive statistics and some correlation analyses with subsequent logical interpretation. Findings-Given the location and non-compulsory nature of the childcare provision being assessed, it would seem fair to say that the answer to the overarching objective was fairly positive. Expectations were non-trivial; parents looked for more than "baby-minding" and expected there to be some appropriately qualified staff. The perceived satisfaction levels indicate that there is nevertheless scope for improvement. Research limitations/implications-The sample studied is from a limited geographical region of Thailand; hence, there must be some caution in making recommendations for the whole country. Practical implications-As the outcomes being delivered are seen to be mainly positive by parents and guardians, the policy implication for the Thai Government is that they should continue to promote, and ideally enhance, this kind of early years provision. Results suggest that Thai parents would be well advised to make use of childcare centres to promote the socialisation and development of their children. Originality/value-The originality of the work derives from the lack of similar systematic studies in Thailand and, in particular, for the rural southern provinces.

The Need for Equitable Educational Provision in S.E. Asia for Children with Disabilities: A Reflection

“…He also notes that in Vietnam, three quarters of children attend pre-school in urban areas but only about half do in rural areas. Compared to that baseline, Thailand's Songkhla province, the location of the Prayukvong et al [1] study, was found to be doing quite well but one is assured that provision is not similarly good across all Thai provinces.…”

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In a recent paper, my co-authors and I examined issues around the adequacy of both provision and quality of pre-school education in one province of Thailand, Prayukvong, Sornprasith and Foster [1]. As a final conjecture, I wrote (p.264), that, "one would speculate that, sadly, the opportunities and needs of disabled children, be they physical or mental disabilities, are likely to be somewhere rather low down the priorities list of many funders and providers, in a setting of intrinsic shortage.

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