COGNITIVE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN DAYCARE: A CASE STUDY OF WORKING MOTHERS IN ADO-EKITI

摘要

The purpose of the study was to find out the perception of working mothers on the cognitive and social development of children in daycare in Ado-Ekiti. The study employed the descriptive research of the survey type. The population was all working mothers in all day care centers in Ado-Ekiti while the sample consisted of 200 working mothers purposively selected from 10 day daycare centers. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Two research questions were raised and the data generated were analysed using simple percentages and chi-square. Findings from the study showed that working mothers agreed there are cognitive and social development of children who attend daycare, although few mothers indicated that their children exhibit negative behaviour. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended among others that government, working establishments and private companies should establish daycare centers for staff, which are likely to produce high quality environment in which children can thrive. Also, good daycare centers should be provided for a child to enhance good behavior both at home and in school.