The Quality of Learning and Care at Community-Based Early Childhood Development Centers in Malawi

• In Event: 69.057 - Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: 69.057-17 - Young Children's Care and Learning in Different Early Childhood Settings

Abstract

This study examined the quality of learning and care at a sample of twelve community-based childcare centers (CBCCs) in Malawi. Using the Measure of Early Learning Environment, the quality of the CBCCs was observed to be very low. Strengths included the physical environment and interactions among adults and children. Weaknesses included the quality of learning and play opportunities, the availability of play and learning materials, and the quality of instruction for literacy, numeracy, and science. Surveys with teachers and interviews with key informants highlighted important underlying challenges, including a reliance on unpaid and untrained teachers, a shortage of learning materials, and food shortages at the CBCCs and in the communities more generally.

Authors

• Amina Abubakar, Pwani University

• Sadaf Shallwani, Firelight Foundation

• Moses Nyongesa, KEMRI Wellcome Trust