WORKING MOTHERS’ SOCIAL-ECONOMIC FACTORS AND PERCEPTIONS OF CHILDCARE SERVICE QUALITY IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

Authors

  • Mary Asheri Assistant Lecturer, National Institute of Transport, Tanzania
  • Daphina L. Mabagala Lecturer, The Open University of Tanzania, P.O. Box 23409, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i4.4790

Keywords:

social-economic factors, working mothers’ perception, quality in childcare centres

Abstract

This study aimed to examine how social-economic factors influence working mothers’ perception of the quality of childcare service quality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional research design to collect data from 411 working mothers with children aged 2-5 years in childcare centres. Three hypotheses were tested based on research objectives, the proposed relationships showed significance at p<0.05. Results show that working mothers’ social economic factors (income and educational levels) influenced their perception of childcare service quality. Results also indicated that working mothers with children aged 5 years were more satisfied with the service quality provided to their children than working mothers with children of 3-4 years. These findings suggest that income, educational levels, and a child’s age are important factors that influence parents’ perceptions of childcare service quality. The study highlights the need for tailored childcare services that cater to the needs of different age groups and the importance of increasing access to high-quality childcare services for families of all income and education levels.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Mary Asheri, Assistant Lecturer, National Institute of Transport, Tanzania

    Dr. Mary Asheri Mashoke is a lecturer and an expert in Gender and Social Studies. She works with the National Institute of Transport combining teaching, research and consultancy roles. Her research interests are on Childcare service quality, Gender issues, Logistics & transport. She has specialized in childcare service quality and working mothers.

  • Daphina L. Mabagala, Lecturer, The Open University of Tanzania, P.O. Box 23409, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Dr. Daphina Libent Mabagala is a lecturer and expert in Early Childhood Studies. She works with the Open University of Tanzania combining teaching, research and consulting roles. Her research interests are on Early Childhood Education and Development, specifically on Quality issues in Early Childhood Education (Access, retention of children, teachers’ practices, Parental involvement in children education) and community empowerment. Dr. Daphina maintains an Orcid profile (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6713-7106) and a ResearchGate account, where her publications can be found. Information about her research, teaching and other activities are available on the Open University of Tanzania website www.out.ac.tz.

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Published

2023-04-25

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 4 (2023)

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