The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of the directors of two different sorts of daycare centers located in the city of Yongin, Gyeonggi province, about the accreditation system. One was accredited daycare centers, and the other was d...
The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of the directors of two different sorts of daycare centers located in the city of Yongin, Gyeonggi province, about the accreditation system. One was accredited daycare centers, and the other was daycare centers that didn't yet apply for accreditation.
Three research questions were posed to serve the purpose:
1. What differences are there in awareness of the accreditation system between the directors of accredited daycare centers and the chiefs of daycare centers that don't apply for accreditation?
2. What is the outlook of the directors of daycare centers on the effects of the accreditation system in each area?
3. What are the opinions of the directors of daycare centers on the improvement of the accreditation system?
The subjects in this study were the directors of 93 daycare centers located as of 2005 to November of 2008 in Suji-gu, Choin-gu and Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi province. Out of the facilities, 31 daycare centers were accredited, and 62 daycare centers didn't yet apply for accreditation. A delivery survey and interview were conducted to gather data, and the collected data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 program. Statistical analysis on frequency, percentage and mean directors were obtained to grasp their view of the effect of the accreditation system, and t-test was utilized.
The findings of the study were as followings
First, as for internal view of the accreditation system, that system was considered to be conducive to improving the professionalism of daycare teachers and the quality of daycare environments and to stirring up the activity participation of preschoolers. That was deemd to be useful at a personal level as well. Concerning external view of the accreditation system, the directors of the accredited daycare centers put higher value on the usefulness of the accreditation system than those of the non-applied daycare centers as a means to enhance teacher-preschooler communication, communication with parents, the way of managing the curriculum and the sanitary conditions of nutritionists and cooks.
Second, in regard to the effect of the accreditation system in each area, the directors of both the accredited and non-applied daycare centers deemed that system to be of use for each area.
Third, concerning the effect of the accreditation system on the quality of daycare service, the directors of the accredited daycare centers found that to be more effective at boosting the quality of daycare service than those of the non-applied daycare centers.
Given the findings about the outlook of the chiefs of the accredited and non-applied daycare centers, the following conclusion was reached, and there are some suggestions about the system as well:
First, documentation for the accreditation system should be simplified. Most of the daycare centers were under severe stress due to heavy documentation workload. There should be separate documents required for approval and accreditation, and documentation requirements should be different according to the size and type of daycare centers so that the directors and teachers could be relieved of the burden.
Second, the directors and teachers should receive education to take their professionalism to another level. To enlarge the coverage of the accreditation system, the directorss of daycare centers should receive education about that in advance, and prolonged professional education should be provided in addition.
Third, the government should make an investment in the accreditation system. When that was introduced, daycare centers were subsidized by the government to improve daycare environments and give teachers a bonus. But the subsidy was withdrawn in 2008 on the ground of a lack of budget, which put more strain on daycare centers. That is why daycare centers are unwilling to apply for accreditation. In order to facilitate a supply of quality daycare services, the government should reconsider offering financial aid on a long-term basis to daycare centers that are already accredited or preparing for that. And teachers who have undergone the accreditation process should be stimulated to be self- confident and self-esteemed and be rated as excellent teachers who are entitled to be given preferential treatment in case of seeking new employment.
Fourth, there should be systematic post-accreditation management. Accredited daycare centers shouldn't rest on their laurels but make prolonged efforts to boost the quality of daycare service.