The Role of Childcare Programs and Family Involvement in Enhancing Child Development in Pre-primary Schools in Iganga District, Uganda

Basome Samson – Faith Discipleship Ministries International (FAMI), Uganda
Petronila Mwangi – University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya
Email: basomesamson@gmail.com

Abstract: The study sought to establish the role of childcare programs and family involvement in enhancing child development in pre-primary schools in Nakalama and Bumalamagi sub-counties of Iganga District, Uganda. The study was guided by the following objectives: How do childcare programs and family involvement support child development, the challenges hindering the role of childcare programs and family involvement in promoting child development in pre-primary schools, the strategies that can be used to overcome the challenges facing childcare programs in promoting child development and how can family involvement be enhanced in promoting child development in pre-primary schools in Iganga District. The study used descriptive survey design that included both quantitative and qualitative methods. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to sample the 77 key respondents drawn from the district, sub-counties, and institutions. Specifically reviewed literature, observation, focus group discussion, and interviews were used during data collection. The findings revealed that childcare programs and family involvement help children develop physically, socially, intellectually, and spiritually. Some of the challenges hindering the role of childcare programs and family involvement in promoting child development were; Shortage of trained and qualified teachers in pre-primary schools and Lack of public awareness in enhancing child development. It is recommended that the government refocus its strategy on addressing the country’s education crisis and confronting issues at the grassroots level and intensifying the training of Caregivers for Early Child Development programs including embarking on implementing ECD programs in all government aided primary schools.