Who cares? The provision of early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

This study analysis the provision of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the researchers used a mixed methods research design followed by Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory as a conceptual framework. Parents, preschool teachers, and education experts were chosen using systematic and purposeful sampling. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion, a standardised observational checklist, and secondary documents. The study demonstrates that the educational backgrounds and qualifications of ECCE teachers and leaders, physical settings, curricular initiatives, and teaching materials are far below national standards. The findings further suggest that ECCE in Wolaita Zone is neither child-friendly nor child-centred and ECCE fails to satisfy minimum health, safety, and educational standards. The paper recommends that, if true educational equity is to be foregrounded, then official Ethiopian ECCE guidelines and frameworks for ECCE should be cascaded to ECCE schools across the nation.