The Nexus Between Women’s Employability and Child Caregiving

Insights from Early Education Centers

Authors

  • Fatima Shahid Allama Iqbal open University
  • Dr. Allah Dino Mangrio Department of Humanities and Social Science, DHA Suffa University, Karachi – Pakistan
  • Dr M A Kazim CEO - Construction Bot
  • Usman Ali Henan University of Urban Construction, China
  • Shagufta Jabeen Allama Iqbal open University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46422/jhss.v15i2.306

Keywords:

Early Childhood Education, Training, Women Employability, Productivity, Montessori Training

Abstract

Early years are the most crucial for development of children while many mothers also need employment to sustain family economic needs. Provision of quality early education is vital for both women employability and childcare. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the viewpoints of preschool administrators regarding caregiving practices for children aged 0-6. It compiles key insights regarding employer-supported early educational practices and existing community initiatives for early childhood education in Pakistan. The study followed qualitative research methodology using semi structured interviews from eight early education centers who were catering for children aged between 0-6. The findings of the study focused on three major themes including the challenges faced in provision of caregiving services, the impact on women’s employability, and the training needs for early childhood educators. The insights from preschoolers suggest that the key challenges in provision of early childhood education include meeting parental expectations and maintaining health standards, especially for younger children whose immune systems are more vulnerable. It was highlighted that the access to reliable childcare allows working mothers to focus on their careers, increasing productivity and women employability. Preschool administrators were of the view that having childcare facilities at the workplace can also facilitate employee retention, as parents feel more comfortable knowing that their children are safe and secure. Regarding training need assessment of early years education and development, Montessori training was regarded as fundamental prerequisite, with many centers preferring staff trained at reputable institutions. In-house training ensures caregivers stay up-to-updated on best practices. Essential skills for caregivers include patience, empathy, adaptability, and strong communication, as well as health and safety competencies to ensure children’s well-being.

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Journal of History and Social Sciences

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Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

Shahid, F., Mangrio, A. D., Dr M A Kazim, Ali, U., & Jabeen, S. (2024). The Nexus Between Women’s Employability and Child Caregiving: Insights from Early Education Centers. Journal of History and Social Sciences, 15(2), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.46422/jhss.v15i2.306

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Articles

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Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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