Regina Anyungwu Achu, Dr Julius U. Ukah & E. P. Obiweluozo
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of caregivers’ experience as a correlate of attitude towards childcare practice in early childhood care and education centres in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, Nigeria. Three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted an ex post facto research design. The population of this study comprised of 74 caregivers in 23 early childhood care and education centres in Calabar Municipality. The sample for the study consisted all the 74 caregivers. The instrument for data collection was Caregiver Attitudinal Scale (CAS). The CAS was validated and a reliability coefficient of 0.76 was established using Cronbach’s alpha approach. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA. The findings of the study show that years of experience had significant influence on caregivers’ attitude towards feeding of children, sleeping/rest, and learning and instruction. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others, that parents should ensure that their children are entrusted in the hands of experienced caregivers. The staff and management of schools should ensure that they employ experienced caregivers as this will help the children to gain a better treatment from the caregivers.