Assessment of Caregiver Responsiveness in Community-Based ECD Centres in Kebbi State

Caregiver responsiveness is a fundamental quality indicator in community-based early childhood settings, and examining it in Kebbi State provides insight into the relational foundations of ECD provision in rural North West Nigeria. This study assessed caregiver responsiveness in community-based ECD centres in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, and Bunza Local Government Areas, Kebbi State. An observational design was employed, with 20 centre classrooms observed over two half-day periods each. Caregiver responsiveness was coded using a structured protocol measuring promptness of response to child bids, warmth of interaction, language use during caregiving routines, and use of encouraging comments. Results showed that caregivers responded to fewer than half (45 percent) of child bids for attention within a developmentally appropriate timeframe of 10 seconds. Warm physical affirmation during routines was observed in only 22 percent of interactions. Caregiver language use was predominantly directive rather than conversational or expansive. Centres managed by trained community health workers showed significantly higher responsiveness scores than those managed by untrained community volunteers. Caregiver-to-child ratio above 1:8 was significantly associated with lower responsiveness. The study concludes that caregiver responsiveness in Kebbi State community ECD centres requires structured improvement. Recommendations include caregiver responsiveness training through the Community ECD Support Programme, reduction of child-to-caregiver ratios, regular supervisory observation with feedback, and community ECD quality improvement grants for Kebbi State.

Keywords: caregiver responsiveness, community ECD centres, Kebbi State, interaction quality, early childhood