Citation

Johnson DJ, Dyanda-Marira C, Dzvimbo PK. Early Child Res. Q. 1997; 12(2): 199-219.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0885-2006(97)90014-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Parental perceptions of quality preschool care and school choice patterns were assessed among 51 working mothers in urban Zimbabwe. Mothers of preschool aged children were administered face-to-face interviews. Mothers articulated their perceptions of what constitutes quality preschool care. Their responses were grouped into 10 categories; the most frequently articulated categories were (a) good food/diet, (b) hygiene, and (c) qualified teachers. Variations were found by income, occupation, and child care options. Although 67% of the mothers had a child attending preschool, primary child care was said to be fulfilled by female domestics or relatives. Preschool was perceived as an extension of formal education, not child care. Parental goals in the selection of preschools were also analyzed utilizing the Slaughter and Schneider (1986) model of school choice. Six typologies or goal types that reflected parent-centered or child-centered motivations for preschool choice were identified. Most mothers were child-centered in their goals for their preschool children. Eighty percent of parents were categorized by three goal types: Deliberate, Humanistic, and Practical. The distribution of goal types varied by family income and child care options.