Identifier

etd-0410103-065154

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Ecology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to provide descriptive information about barriers that directors encounter when they attempt to implement the continuity-of-care organizational structure in child care centers. The study focused on four research issues: 1) child care directors’ definitions of continuity of care, 2) directors’ implementations of continuity of care, 3) if the directors’ practices violate their definitions what is the directors’ perceptions of the reason(s), and 4) if the directors’ practices violate their definition what is the reasons for the violations as perceived by an outside observer. The sample consisted of 4 child care directors who direct highquality, state-licensed child care centers. The participating centers care for children ranging from birth to 12-years-old. The present study used a set of interview questions whose purpose was to guide the four participating directors through an interview about continuity of care. The interview questions consisted of two parts: 1) several open-ended questions, and 2) a movement chart for each child in the study (n=52), on which the researcher recorded information about the specific movements of each child from one caregiver to another. The study found that caregivers and the business of child care are not the dominant barriers to implementing continuity of care that the directors perceive them to be. The empirical data indicated that even though the directors have professed themselves dedicated to the continuity-of-care practices, they are still attached to many traditional child care practices.

Date

2003

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Sarah H. Pierce

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3252

Download

Included in

Human Ecology Commons

Share

COinS