Parental Perceptions on ECD Provisioning In Mdantsane District, Eastern Cape

Abstract

This paper sought to explore parental perception on ECD provisioning at early childhood centres. The key questions asked were: What are the perceptions of parents on the role of ECD centres? What are the perceptions of parents regarding participation in ECDC Activities? Four parents, two from each of the two selected centres were purposively sampled. All the four respondents were female. Data was collected through interviews and document analysis. The results revealed that parents perceived the role of ECD centres as: for the provision of food, security from perpetrators of rape, play activities that render children exhausted by the time they go home, intellectual and spiritual development and as a stepping stone into formal schooling. Parental participation was found to be very minimal. Parents perceived that by getting involved they would be disturbing the smooth running of the centres. It can be concluded that parents were neither conversant of the roles of ECD centres and roles they need to play in ECD centres for the benefit of learners. The study recommended among other things parental education on ECD provisioning for both parents and educators.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n9p457