APPRAISAL OF THE MANAGEMENT OF EARLY CHILDCARE CENTRES IN SOUTH EAST ZONE OF NIGERIA

Education of the child world over is the greatest concern of parents, teachers, community and the government. The survival of any nation or culture depends to a large extent on the sound and worthwhile education provided for its children. A child, according to Obinaju (2004), is a young person especially between infancy and youth. A child is a young human being between birth and puberty. He or she is somebody under a legally specified age who is considered not to be legally responsible for his or her actions. However, the concept of a child differs from one culture to another, but in this study; a child is conceived as a person from the age of zero to five years under the care of parents or caregivers, helpers and securities in Early Childcare Centres (ECC).

ECC is a place where all the activities and programmes are deliberately directed towards the general development of the child. Maduewesi (2005) sees Early Childcare centre as a place where education is given to children from zero to five years.