Analytical Study of the Research Gap in Caregiver-Child Interaction Quality in Home-Based Childcare in Sub-Saharan Africa with Nigerian Implications

Home-based childcare, where children receive care from family members or non-professional caregivers at home, constitutes the dominant childcare arrangement in Nigeria, yet research on interaction quality within these settings is almost entirely absent from both global and Nigerian early childhood literature. This study analytically examined the research gap in caregiver-child interaction quality in home-based childcare in sub-Saharan Africa with specific implications for Nigeria. A systematic scoping review of 10 databases identified 21 publications from 2018 to 2024 on caregiver-child interaction quality in sub-Saharan African home-based childcare, of which only 2 specifically addressed Nigerian settings. Primary research conducted structured home observations with 60 home-based caregiving dyads across Kwara and Ekiti States using the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment and a structured interaction quality coding protocol. Results showed that emotionally supportive interactions occurred frequently (68 percent of observation intervals), but language-enriching interactions (labelling, expanding, questioning) were rare (12 percent). Physical care quality was high. Caregiver educational level was the strongest predictor of language stimulation. The study identifies four priority research directions and proposes a Nigerian Home-Based Childcare Interaction Research Agenda. Recommendations include a national home-based childcare interaction quality study, development of a home visitor interaction quality support programme, and integration of interaction quality promotion into community health extension worker training.

Keywords: caregiver-child interaction, home-based childcare, sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria, research gap