DECISION MAKING PROCESS BY FIRST TIME

PARENTS FOR CHILDCARE CHOICES

BY

RAJA SYAKIREEN SYAHIDA BINTI RAJA ISMAIL

A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for

the degree of Master of Education

Kulliyyah of Education

International Islamic University Malaysia

MAY 2019

ii

ABSTRACT

Childcare arrangement is one of the daunting tasks for parents everywhere, one which

has been made even harder due to several influencing factors. The process of selecting

the best childcare arrangement has resulted in a widespread and growing interest on

parental decision-making process concerning childcare choices, thus the major focus

of this research. Based on the theoretical model of decision-making and choice, this

qualitative study explored the decision-making practices of first-time parents. Four

parental figures (i.e. two males and two females) were interviewed separately to elicit

information on their decision-making practices. The findings revealed that the

decision making process for childcare arrangement was regularly conducted under

significant time constraints as parents were occupied with the demands of a career,

possessed limited experience and were equipped with limited information. The main

factors associated with parents‟ decision towards childcare as evidenced in the

literature such as the actual quality of childcare arrangements, convenience, parental

preferences, opportunities, constraints and cost of alternatives were also explored as

part of the decision-making process. This study contributes by improving knowledge

for childcare researchers and policy makers about parental childcare decision-making

for the betterment of future generation. Recommendations for future research are

further made based on the results.

iii

خلاصة البحثABSTRACT IN ARABIC

في التي يقوم بها الآباء والأمهات حد المهام الشاقةأرعاية الأطفال هي ب الاستعدادات المتعلقةعملية سببتن العوامل. المهمة أكثر صعوبة بسبب العديد م ولقد أصبحت هذهكل مكان،

الاهتمام بعملية اتخاذ في رعاية الأطفال في انتشار واسع وتزايد ل الاستعداداتاختيار أفضل التركيز الرئيسي هذا لوالدين فيما يتعلق بخيارات رعاية الأطفال، وبالتالي كانمن قبل االقرار

استناداً ولاة الأمور الجدد ل يةالتفضيلات القرار . استكشفت هذه الدراسة النوعية ذه الدراسةلهولاة مقابلات منفصلة مع أربعة من تم إجراءإلى النموذج النظري لصنع القرار والاختيار.

. كشفت النتائج تفضيلاتهم القرارية( للحصول على معلومات حول والدتينو والدين) الأمورتحت ثوابت زمنية مهمة بانتظام تجريقد أرعاية الأطفال ستعداداتأن عملية صنع القرار لا

كما تم ة والمعلومات،ب وأيضا محدودي الخ بوظائفهم، ولينشغم ولاة الأمور كانواحيث أن نحو رعاية الأطفال كما هو واضح ولاة الأمور اتاستكشاف العوامل الرئيسية المرتبطة بقرار

، وتفضيلات ناسبةوالظروف المرعاية الأطفال، ستعداداتمثل الجودة الفعلية لا المؤلفات،في وتكلفة البدائل كجزء من عملية صنع القرار. تساهم هذه والمعوقات،، والفرص ، ولاة الأمور

حول رعاية الأطفال وصانعي السياسات في جاالباحثينال في تحسين معلوماتالدراسة تم .القادمةل اجيالأرعاية الأطفال من أجل تحسين نحو التفضيلات القرارية لولاة الأمور

.النتائجعلى بالاعتماد يةث المستقبلابحزيد من التوصيات لأالم عطاءإ

iv

APPROVAL PAGE

I certify that I have supervised and read this study and that in my opinion; it conforms

to acceptable standards of scholarly presentation and is fully adequate, in scope and

quality, as a dissertation for the degree of Master of Education.

…………………………………

Nik Suryani Nik Abd Rahman

Supervisor

I certify that I have read this study and that in my opinion it conforms to acceptable

standards of scholarly presentation and is fully adequate, in scope and quality, as a

dissertation for the degree of Master of Education.

………………………………….

Haniza Rais

Internal Examiner

This dissertation was submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and

Counselling and is accepted as a fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of

Master of Education.

…………………………………

Siti Kholijah Kassim

Head, Department of Educational

Psychology and Counselling

This dissertation was submitted to the Kulliyyah of Education and is accepted as a

fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Education.

………………………………….

Ismail Sheikh Ahmad

Dean, Kulliyyah of Education

v

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own investigations, except

where otherwise stated. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently

submitted as a whole for any other degrees at IIUM or other institutions.

Raja Syakireen Syahida Binti Raja Ismail

Signature ........................................................... Date .........................................

vi

COPYRIGHT

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION OF

FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH

DECISION MAKING PROCESS BY FIRST TIME PARENTS FOR

CHILDCARE CHOICES

I declare that the copyright holders of this thesis are jointly owned by the student and

IIUM.

Copyright © 2019 Raja Syakireen Syahida Binti Raja Ismail and International Islamic University

Malaysia. All rights reserved.

No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder

except as provided below

1. Any material contained in or derived from this unpublished research may

only be used by others in their writing with due acknowledgement.

2. IIUM or its library will have the right to make and transmit copies (print

or electronic) for institutional and academic purposes.

3. The IIUM library will have the right to make, store in a retrieved system

and supply copies of this unpublished research if requested by other

universities and research libraries.

By signing this form, I acknowledged that I have read and understand the IIUM

Intellectual Property Right and Commercialization policy.

Affirmed by Raja Syakireen Syahida Binti Raja Ismail

……..…………………….. ………………………..

Signature Date

vii

DEDICATION

Alhamdulillah, becoming a parent, particularly for the first time, is an incredible,

emotional and wonderful experience. At times, it can be daunting and overwhelming.

Going through an exciting yet tiring pregnancy journey, suffering from hours long

labour pain, a wide of range of emotions after sleepless nights, an emotional

breakdown during the adaptation period with a new-born may put parents, especially

first time mothers, into a totally different world to endure. As time goes by, you are

well attached with your baby, but maternity leave is going to end, and here comes

another challenge, to be apart with your new-born. Allah knows how anxious and

hesitant you are to let the baby stays under someone else’s care while you are at

work. As new parents, making decisions about a child’s upbringing may be something

that is quite new and emotionally challenging. Thus, guidance, support and advices by

family and friends are very valuable. With all the conflicting emotions, doubts and

sleep deprivation that have accompanied along the first time parenthood journey, one

thing that has come along is ‘tawakkul’. This thesis is a very meaningful gift to my

first child, Nik Akiff Khuza’ie and thank you so much to his daddy Mr Nor Azam bin

Md Khair for being highly responsible, patient and supportive throughout this

marriage. Not forgetting the two persons behind this who are always in my du’a, both

my parents

viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I dedicate this thesis to my parents Raja Ismail bin Tuan Mat and Siti Khodijah Binti

Hashim. To my late father, I pray Allah grants you the highest rank of Jannah. To my

mother, thank you for showing me an exemplary attitude through your behaviour and

prayers. I‟m glad I have a reference to emulate in my life. For all the difficulties in

moulding me into a proper human being, I cannot repay you both. For educating my

heart with love, I could not ask for more. For treating me as the youngest member in

our family, I‟m indebted to all my siblings, eldest sister Intan, elder brother Firdausa

and brother Taufika.

A big appreciation to my supervisor Dr Nik Suryani binti Nik Abd Rahman for

the guidance, advice which comes along with motherly touches and also for the

personality that I believe your thousands of students adore. Your intelligence which

balances humility makes you a wonderful and an exemplary academician on earth. I

truly believe that many of those who have lost their way during this difficult journey

in completing a thesis writing have recovered their spirit and consciousness after

consulting your beautiful words and heart. You never put your students‟ self-esteem

down and that makes you so extraordinary. Allah blesses you for your kindness, Dr

Nik.

Thank you to the man, Mr Nor Azam bin Md Khair, who took over the

responsibilities and duties (hopefully will never be liabilities) to take charge of me

from my late father ever since 20th

August 2016. For all your sacrifices, hard work,

tolerance, patience and the faith you have in me, may Allah repay you in this world

and the hereafter. For all our shared arguments, wrongdoings and painful silence, may

you forgive me. For all moments of happiness, laughter, jokes, immaturity and

surprises, may we cherish it. Towards a better life, a marriage with sakinah,

mawaddah wa rahmah, together we pray for it. For all the time I spent in completing

my thesis and you were in charge of taking care of our son Nik Akiff Khuza‟ie, I

praise Allah for gifting my son a daddy like you. For your understanding, your

unwavering support and “positive provocation” towards completing this writing

journey, I appreciate it. For not clipping my wings to soar, I‟m forever grateful.

I wish to all my fellow sisters the best of luck and thanks for all the guidance,

knowledge and shared sessions. They are Faiza Safawi, Asyiqin Abas, Ineza Meilani

Muhtar, Natalea Haqeem, Nawal Al Mukminah, Fathiah Solehah, Mutiah Azzahrah,

Nurul Hidayah, Ain Azis, Kak Edzati, Kak Deena, Safeera, Hayati, Awatif, Suriana,

Sakinah, Azah, Hafizah and to all of you, wherever you are, may Allah shower you

with blessings for your beautiful heart and soul. My special thanks to my junior Br.

Fadhil Rushdan Bin Arif Rahimi for all he has done, the one who got the necessary

forms ready for this final submission. May you be rewarded in a thousand folds.

ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ........................................................................................................................ ii Abstract in Arabic ........................................................................................................ iii Approval Page .............................................................................................................. iv

Declaration ................................................................................................................... v Copyright ..................................................................................................................... vi Dedication .................................................................................................................... vii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ............................................................................................................... xi

List of Figures .............................................................................................................. xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study ........................................................................... 3 1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................... 7 1.3 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................. 10 1.4 Research Questions ................................................................................... 10

1.5 Significance of the Study .......................................................................... 10 1.6 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................ 11

1.7 Definition of Terms ................................................................................... 12 1.7.1 Decision-Making Process ............................................................... 12 1.7.2 First-Time Parents .......................................................................... 12

1.7.3 Childcare ......................................................................................... 13

1.8 Chapter Summary...................................................................................... 13

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................... 15 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 15 2.2 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................. 15

2.3 General Decision-Making Style Inventory ............................................... 18 2.3.1 Decision-Making Styles .................................................................. 18

2.3.2 Stages in Decision-Making ............................................................. 20 2.3.3 The Novice Decision Maker ........................................................... 23

2.4 Review of Past Literature .......................................................................... 24

2.5 Decision-Making Elements in Islam ......................................................... 31

2.6 Chapter Summary...................................................................................... 40

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................ 42 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 42 3.2 Research Design ........................................................................................ 42 3.3 Qualitative Research Method .................................................................... 43 3.4 Data Collection Technique ........................................................................ 44

3.4.1 Interview Questions and Protocol ................................................... 45

3.5 Research Instrumentation .......................................................................... 46 3.6 Data Analysis Procedure ........................................................................... 47 3.7 Chapter Summary...................................................................................... 48

x

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS ................................................. 49 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 49 4.2 Respondents‟ Background ........................................................................ 50

4.3 Parents‟ Expectations in Childcare Service Provider................................ 51 4.3.1 Parental Needs ................................................................................ 52 4.3.2 Child Needs .................................................................................... 55 4.3.3 Flexibility ........................................................................................ 57

4.4 Sources of Information .............................................................................. 62

4.4.1 Human Based Channels .................................................................. 63 4.4.2 Non-Human Based Channels .......................................................... 67

4.5 Making Final Decisions ............................................................................ 71 4.5.1 Perspective during the Decision-Making Process .......................... 72 4.5.2 Weighing Factors that Affect the Decision-Making Process ......... 75

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSION ..................................... 81 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 81 5.2 Discussion of Findings .............................................................................. 82

5.2.1 Parents‟ Expectations in Selecting Childcare Services .................. 82 5.2.2 Sources of Information ................................................................... 87

5.2.3 Making Final Decisions .................................................................. 90 5.3 Recommendations ..................................................................................... 92

5.4 Suggestions for Future Research ............................................................... 93 5.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 94

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 98

APPENDIX A: INFORMED CONSENT LETTER (ENGLISH AND

MALAY VERSION) ...................................................................... 103 APPENDIX B: SEMI-STRUCTED INTERVIEW QUESTION ......................... 105 APPENDIX C: VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTION ................................................. 106

xi

LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Page No.

4.1 Parental Expectations in Childcare Service Provider 52

4.2 Sources of Information 63

4.3 Thematic Analysis of Research Findings 71

4.4 Making the Final Decision 71

4.5 Summary of Findings 80

xii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Page No.

2.1 Parental Childcare Decision-Making Diagram 17

1

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Childrearing in this era of high-paced technology and development can be generally

regarded as highly different in comparison to past generations. One of the foremost

concerns for parents nowadays is the matter of role distribution, in which who should

land the position of primary caretaker for the child or children concerned in a

household. In this current world where the distinction between men and women is

often debated and becoming less transparent, the ideology of a mother as one who

should be primarily responsible for the care of young children is no longer prevalent.

Tradition may dictate that the social norm for child rearing is the presumed women‟s

work (Baker, 2010; Brighouse & Wright, 2008). However, the evolution of women‟s

role has contributed to the dramatic rise of women in the workforce. Women today

juggle between motherhood and career in meeting the demands of the workplace and

the needs of families. The responsibility of parents lies entirely with the children

mostly to promote stability and economic security of the family. Thus, the struggles

for parents to meet the family‟s economic needs and structural beliefs are inevitable.

As a result, one of the changes which has been observed at present is the increased

need for non-parental primary care and other childcare services as more women as

mothers enter the workforce.

Every parent wants to do what is best for their child. Therefore, numerous

contributing factors are involved when it comes into parents‟ decisions to provide

primary care for their child or children. While the world surrounding children is ever

changing, their development remains the same as parents, regardless of status, are still

moulding little humans who are more or less going through similar pathways and

2

requires a certain period of time to accomplish their milestones even though each one

of them is unique and may grow at a different rate. The current model of „intensive

parenting‟ proposes the full engagement of primary carers for infants and children in

nurturing the potentials of their offspring. Parenting is constantly viewed as one of the

most important roles an individual can embark on (Wall, 2005). Therefore, as first

time parents, many aspects have to be taken into consideration by parental figures

when it comes to childcare arrangement and selection.

The facts have proven that child rearing comes with a price. Parents would

always associate higher costs and expenses as the determinant for better quality care

arrangements. However, the accuracy statement for high price does not always

describe quality in the same manner depending on the parents‟ perception of quality

childcare itself (Noble, 2007). One of the prevalent decisions parents have to make

involves the identification of who should care for their child, especially during the

early developmental years. When both parents are working, quality childcare becomes

a necessity which places children‟s rights to valuable early exposure in terms of

language development, cognitive competence, and greater social growth. Quality-

based childcare usually focuses on safeguarding a child‟s health and safety and

provides positive impacts towards the child‟s development as a whole. Finding

appropriate and affordable childcare is a huge challenge especially among first-time

parents. Some families may opt to have one parent stay or work from home while

some parents, especially mothers, may opt to leave the workforce altogether in order

to become the primary caregiver. Even though first-time parents may lack experience

in making decisions for early childhood care, their values are nevertheless similar, a

reality which is shaped by their desire to provide the best for the family as their

choices carve out their children‟s future development and growth.

3

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

When an individual delegate the care of their child to another individual, such can be

termed an arranged childcare. On the contrary, no regular arrangement of care

happens when parents who do not make any kind of childcare arrangement for their

child or children (Laughlin, 2010). Arranged care can be divided into two, which are

relative care and nonrelative care. According to Victoria‟s (2007) review, the United

States Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS) defines relative care

as an arrangement of a relative or someone emotionally close to the child who will be

responsible for the child‟s rearing and basic needs. It can be provided by a parent or a

nonparent, for example the grandparent, aunt, and sibling. Relative care provided by a

parent is also known as child rearing. If it is provided by a non-parent, it is therefore

known as kinship care (Fram & Kim, 2008; Ryan, Johnson, Rigby, & Brooks-Gunn,

2011; Santhiveeran, 2010; Uttal, 1999).

Nonrelative care, on the other hand, can be divided into two as well which are

nonrelative in-home care and nonrelative care outside the home. It is synonymously

used to define for childcare as an arrangement to provide care for a child in the

absence of the parent (Chyu, Pebley, & Lara-Cinisomo, 2005). When it comes the

time to find and select a childcare provider, some families would turn to relatives such

as the grandparents while some families prefer nonrelative caretakers. According to

Casper (1996), in-home care includes all nonrelative care providers. They may be

nannies (Fram & Kim, 2008; Leach, Barnes, Malmberg, Sylva, & Stein, 2008),

babysitters (Brambach, 2002), or au pairs (Leach et al., 2008). Au pairs can be defined

as caregivers from a foreign country who travel abroad to live with a native family

and learn a language in exchange for childcare (Brambach, 2002). However, Casper,

Hawkins, and O‟Connell (1994) stated that a nanny does not take part in any cultural

4

exchange and usually gets a salary as in any other job. The similarity between them is

that these care providers will be residing in the child‟s home in order to provide

constant care within the family setting.

Based on UNESCO International Bureau of Education‟s (IBE) review on Early

Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Malaysia as part of the Report on Malaysia

for the Education for All Conference (2000), ECCE programmes in the country are

divided into home-based centres or what some would call family daycare homes

which serve fewer than ten children and targeted largely on children under the age of

four, and pre-schools for four to five-year-olds which are mainly available in urban

areas. The Ministry of Education Malaysia is responsible for teacher training for the

pre-school level (kindergarten), whereas training for child minders is provided by the

Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and the Department of Social Welfare.

In current practice, most families tend to prefer a nanny or home-based carer who is

employed on a daily basis to care for their child or children in their own home.

Three years ago, a highly popular programme known as the brainchild of

Terengganu was introduced by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.

The programme aims at providing home manager service for care service towards

children which is akin to that of a professional maid, and is basically meant for

employers who are looking for trained and professional maids who have undergone

two weeks of YPKT‟s training. The programme is specially advertised by the

Terengganu Family Development Foundation (YPKT) for those who seek a home

manager and comes with many additional incentives. Unlike foreign maids, YPKT‟s

home managers do not have to stay in their respective employers‟ home. They also

only work on the basis of regular office hours or hours that they have agreed on with

their employers. A home manager receives a monthly salary of RM 1,000.00 as well

5

as insurance coverage and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions. As an

added incentive, the Terengganu government provides a subsidy of RM 200.00 for the

first three months of service. Many working parents from Terengganu have found this

programme a success and beneficial as compared to their previous experience in

having to face numerous issues including the high cost of hiring foreign maids

through recruitment agencies. According to parents who have sought this service,

YPKT‟s home managers are generally well trained and such manner of service has

allowed them to maintain their family privacy as there is no need for an outsider to

stay under the same roof, unlike the usual practice with foreign maids in which the

employers are expected to prepare a separate room for the maid‟s dwelling.

Uncommon nowadays is the scenario of first-time parents who are faced with

the dilemma in deciding on their child‟s primary caregiver which is often influenced

by several contributing factors. Aside from determining who should take on the

mentioned role, first-time parents also need to figure out exactly when to introduce the

child to early childhood care. Discussion on these matters often involve a few other

related concerns, such as the issue of breastfeeding and other social factors such as

gendered norms regarding primary care and parental leave. In fact, according to

previous researches, women are often represented as the primary carers of newborn

babies in both parenting literature (Fox, 2001; Schmidt, 2008), cultural representations

in general (Johnston & Swanson, 2003), and the social norm which continues to insist

that child rearing is meant for „women‟s work‟ (Baker, 2010; Brighouse & Wright,

2008).

In current times, non-maternal childcare has risen dramatically as a result of

the increasing number of mothers as career women. This brings us to the issue of

whether mothers feel extreme guilty when they leave their child at daycare centres and

6

head into the office. Being a mother to a growing infant is a fulfilling and challenging

experience that no one is really prepared for while simultaneously balancing careers

and families. This certainly requires more than sacrifices, sincerity, and patience.

Researches have indicated that some working mothers do not feel that they spend

enough time with their young children (Elvin-Nowak, 1999; Reid Boyd, 2002;

Seagram & Daniluk, 2002; Shaw & Burns, 1993). Although working mothers

continually develop a special bond and relationship with their children by spending

adequate quality time with them, these mothers nevertheless still manage to feel some

form and degree of guilt. It is possible that the guilt is there because it is the mother‟s

desire to be a positive force in her child‟s life as the “good mother” (Seagram &

Daniluk, 2002). The feeling of guilt is inescapable since due to work and other

commitments, they cannot be at their child‟s beck and call and the child will spend

most of his/her time with the child minders as compared to his/her own mother. It is

the desire of a mother to provide a great foundation for children‟s early developmental

process and to be entirely subservient and responsive to their child‟s slightest request.

When the desire is not or only partially fulfilled, that is the point where the feeling of

guilt will strike most working mothers.

Additionally, there is a need for us to really understand the significance of high

quality childcare for children‟s development. According to Neugebauer (1992), the

majority numbers of young children spend time and gain experiences from non-

familial settings. Looking at the scenario today, such statement may not be far from

the truth in reflection to the rapid increase of maternal employment.

The more time children spend in childcare, the higher it is that the time spent in

the family is likely reduced, subsequently increasing peer interactions in non-familial

setting. There is ongoing debate whether non-familial setting such as childcare centers

7

has an adverse effect on children‟s development. Ultimately, high

quality childcare can turn out to be a positive influence on children‟s holistic

development as the nurturing process to meet the physical, mental, emotional and

social development of young children. This point is supported by Peisner et al. (2008)

who stated that a high quality daycare leads to positive outcomes. Childcare centres

play a significant role towards the development of young children in which quality in

its service must be upheld so that it reflects a reliable service provider in

delivering early childhood quality care and education. It is important that parents enrol

their children in the highest quality care possible to ensure that the child‟s

psychological and safety needs are attended to. Thus, parental involvement is a vital

step towards creating optimal spaces for development in promoting better

psychosocial care for young children.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It is always saddening to come across the many cases which have been reported

almost every single day in the mass media regarding incidents involving young

children‟s death, injuries, and the negligence of child minders. Accounts concerning

young children‟s maltreatments happening around the country have been particularly

alarming, as in the case of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), shaken baby

syndrome and drowning due to negligence. A more recent case involved a child who

was believed to had choked on milk due to the negligence of the childcare provider. In

another case, an infant suffered serious injury from a broken skull after the babysitter

dropped the child and a baby boy was reported to have drowned in a pail of water

during a bath when the babysitter left him to grab for a towel. In those cases, the

childcare operator and the babysitter were both sentenced to imprisonment and

8

ordered to pay compensation for their crimes (TV Al Hijrah, 2017). These are just a

few instances of the cases which were reported. It is believed that the real number is

thought to be considerably higher since more cases go unreported due to various

reasons. In fact, what is more shocking is the fact that most of the childcare operators

highlighted are not legally registered. Therefore, there is an urgent need to review the

values of parents‟ decision-making process for childcare choices as one of the efforts

to upgrade the services offered by childcare centres and also to guide parents,

especially those who are novice decision makers, in the matter of childcare selection.

Choosing an early childhood care for a child can be an exciting yet fear and

thought-provoking experience for a first time parent. As parents look for specific

qualities in child care, they tend to be more vigilant in analysing every aspect of

programming choice for their child‟s development. Past studies on parent selection of

early childhood care have focused specifically on what parents have chosen, the

factors which influence parents‟ decision-making, and when parents opt for childcare.

However, available in the literature is the limited few research which explored

parents‟ requirements for their childcare, why parents value some sources of

information more than others, and what influences the parents‟ decision-making

process in the selection.

Parents as the client of care service provider hold a huge responsibility in this

area due to their function as one of the key stakeholders in determining the future of

their children. Parents should be treated as the source of information to improve

childcare and the educational programming industry due to their position as important

consumers of childcare. Unfortunately, the opinions of parents have been undervalued

in a way as they are regarded as uninformed decision makers who lack early

childhood care and educational expertise, presumably making childcare decisions

9

based on convenience rather than on quality (Emlen et al., 1999). Thus, little has been

discussed about the importance of talking to parents in obtaining insights on the

reason‟s parents make certain decisions regarding their early childhood care

experience.

Apart from that, there has not been many studies done in relation to the

decision-making process of early childhood care in the Asian counterparts and

Malaysia in particular. Most of the references found were conducted in the Western

context in which values, beliefs and environment are likely very much different to

those in Asia.

Most of the research on parents‟ selection or decision-making process of

arranging childcare have been conducted with American parents of European origin

(O'Gorman, Farrell, & Walsh, 2004). Calvo (2007) highlights that there is limited

research that focuses on the parental selection process. Even though the topic of

childcare is quite common among parents, Emlen et al. (1999) also argue that research

has been strikingly limited. According to them, there is a need to place parents as the

source of primary data. Hence, they should be treated as an important entity of

childcare. Thus, this research specifically focuses on first-time parents who are

working and living in an area where kinship care is not available. It is also a further

aim of the study to describe parents‟ values in childcare and how they make decisions

concerning childcare arrangement. Their experience may differ from those living

within an extended family care as their resources and other aspects may be limited.

10

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to explore the decision-making process by first-

time parents for early childhood care selection. The specific aims are:

1. To explore how parents make decisions to select the childcare; and

2. To identify the factors that influence parents or parents‟ decision-making

process.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Based on the objectives, the following research questions are formulated:

1. What experiences do parents want their children to have during the early

care arrangements?

2. How do parents decide on early-care arrangements?

3. What factors influence parents or parents‟ decision-making process?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings from this study are expected to benefit as a source of primary means

which offer a more in-depth understanding of parents‟ desires for their childcare, why

parents value some sources of information, and what influences the parents‟ decision-

making process for childcare choices for their children. This can promote awareness

for the public, especially first-time parents, to make thorough consideration before

selecting proper arrangement of care for their children. The study will further provide

an unbiased account, support and appropriate source of information to experts in the

field from the parents‟ perspectives on what they value before making a decision. It

allows the development of enhanced early childhood care services in order to ensure

our children‟s holistic development and healthy flourish. The gist of findings

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produced in the study can be presented by selected trainers along with other modules

in the hope that it will create more awareness among first-time parents of the proper

process before making a decision to ensure better care and environment they should

provide for their children. In addition to that, the study may also promote a better care

and learning environment that caregivers can provide for children to enable them to

grow spiritually, emotionally, cognitively and psychologically healthy, therefore

allowing them better preparation to move into the next phase of their lives.

1.6 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The greatest challenge faced in this study is related to the recruitment of participants.

This study has managed to secure the participation of highly involved parents. Parents

who are highly involved in their children‟s education had foreseen the potential

research questions posed in this study and had come into the research prepared with

answers. This is a limitation because the views of the first-time parents and assumed

novice decision-makers are not brought up when only those with high involvement in

their children‟s education are the participants. The research should have included

parents who are less involved in determining childcare selection to overcome the

study‟s generalisability. Despite the respondents‟ claim that both parents are highly

involved in the decision-making process, this is still regarded as weak evidence in

which it cannot be proven that the husbands had been really involved in the process.

Hence, the level of husband‟s awareness on the importance of considering the best

selection for the child cannot be determined. This study should have included the both

mothers and fathers who are actively involved in the decision-making process so that

research would be able to understand their perspective values as a whole.

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1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following subheadings provide the operational definition of major terms

employed in this study.

1.7.1 Decision-Making Process

According to Calvo (2007), parents‟ decision-making process is described as a

cyclical educational information for their child which is constantly received and stored

by parents. As part of the decision-making process, parents always gather information

through formal and informal channels. The decision-making process for parents in

selecting educational opportunities for their children is often measured by identifying

the options, gathering information, weighing the options, and making a final decision

(Calvo, 2007; Galotti & Tinkelenberg, 2009). Formal channels of information include

parent nights, school publications, and websites (Galotti & Tinkelenberg, 2009; Zeak,

2006), whereas informal channels include older siblings, friends, neighbors, and

personal observation (Chaudry, 2004; Galotti & Tinkelenberg, 2009; Zimmerman,

2000).

1.7.2 First-Time Parents

A first-time parent is commonly conceptualised as the novice decision maker. It is

someone who does not have a great deal of background knowledge in making

decisions due to the limited opportunities available in making decisions in that

particular area. In this research, parents are considered novice decision makers when

they make educational decisions for their children (see Galotti & Tinkelenberg, 2009).

When parents make decisions about their children‟s early childhood care and

education, they make a specific decision i.e. choosing which service provider to