Practices and Challenges of Baby Daycare Services in Public Offices of Wolkite Town, Guraghe Zone, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Daycare is important for children holistic development in cognitive, social and emotional development. It also crates safe environment for children while their parents are working. However, in developing countries like Ethiopia, awareness and implementation of baby daycare services are limited. This study investigates the practices and challenges associated with baby daycare services in public institutions in Wolkite Town, Central Ethiopia. Within the framework of a mixed-methods approach, a descriptive research design was employed. Data were collected through survey questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions from a sample of 207 employees. The results revealed a lack of institutionalized baby daycare services, with only 43.1% of institutions offering limited facilities, such as basic rooms without caregivers or necessary equipment. This gap has led to significant challenges for employees, including reduced motivation, high absenteeism, and difficulty balancing work and childcare responsibilities. The findings further highlight that baby care services contribute significantly to employee performance by enhancing motivation, concentration, and effectiveness in customer service. Challenges in establishing these services include financial constraints, knowledge gaps, and insufficient stakeholder collaboration. Despite these obstacles, respondents emphasized that these challenges were surmountable through improved institutional commitment and coordinated efforts. Recommendations include fostering stakeholder partnerships, allocating government resources, and implementing robust policy frameworks to ensure accessible and effective baby care services. This study underscores the critical need for holistic approaches to childcare support in public institutions to improve employee well-being and organizational efficiency.