| dc.description.abstract | Provision of early childhood education is influenced by a number of factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of selected institutional factors on provision of early childhood education in Matungu sub county, Kakamega County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to find out how school levies influence provision of early childhood education in Matungu sub county; to establish the extent to which the academic and professional qualifications of ECDE teachers influence provision of early childhood education; to determine how class sizes influence provision of early childhood education and determine how basic resources influence provision of early childhood education in Matungu sub county, Kakamega county, Kenya. This research study was guided by the socio cultural theory advanced by Lev Vygotsky. This study adopted a descriptive survey design which allows the researcher to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. This study was conducted in both private and public ECDE centers in Matungu sub County and targeted primary school head teachers, ECDE teachers and parents. The sample consisted of 21 head teachers, 58 ECDE teachers and 41 parents selected through purposive sampling methods, simple random sampling and convenience sampling methods respectively. Questionnaires; interview schedules and an observation checklist were used to collect data. The researcher checked the reliability and validity of the research instruments through a pilot study. Reliability was established using the split half method where all the instruments posted an alpha value of more than 0.70, hence acceptable. Validation of the research instruments was done by the university supervisor. The collected data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences software and presented using a combination of statistical and graphical techniques; whereas qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of this study revealed that ECDE parents in Matungu Sub County have a negative attitude towards payment of fees and they don’t support the ECDE programs fully. The study also found out that majority of ECDE teachers were untrained and they rarely attended in service courses and seminars. In addition, majority of ECDE centers in Matungu Sub County had high enrolments and lacked adequate teaching and learning resources. The study recommended that early childhood education should be provided free, made compulsory and a prerequisite for joining standard one. The study further recommended that all ECDE teachers should be trained and also be well remunerated. The government should employ more teachers to ease the burden of overcrowded classes. In addition, the government should equip the ECDE centers with adequate teaching and learning resources. | en_US |
