Growth and development profile of children at two day care centers in Jakarta

Abstract

Background Working mothers with toddlers are often confused with the difficulties of caregiver substitutes. This leads to the con- cern about neglecting their toddlers. Day care centers are expected to respond by substituting the absent mothers, in order for the children’s needs of growth and development to become optimal. Objective To examine the profile of day care centers in correla- tion with growth and development of toddlers, and to understand the characteristics of facilities for growth and development in tod- dlers at day care centers. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted at the day care centers (DCC) of the Department of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Harapan Ibu (HI) in Salemba, Central Jakarta and Teratai in Bekasi from February 1-August 1, 2004. Results There were 106 children enrolled in this study; 47 chil- dren in DCC HI and 59 in DCC Teratai, male:female ratio was 1:1, mostly at age 3.1-5 years. Growth status was measured accord- ing to body weight/age, body height/age, height circumference/ age and found good, normal, and proper growth status in 85 chil- dren (80.2%), 48 children (45.3%), 102 children (96.2%), respec- tively. We found good nutritional status in 44 children (41.5%) and normal developmental status (Denver II) in 81 children (76.4%). Ratio of caregivers to child was 1:10. All children had complete immunization. No trauma or upper respiratory tract infection was recorded as frequent morbidity. Parents’ reasons for relying their children in DCCs were to enable their children to socialize (50 children/47.2%), and to allow them to become independent (49 children/46.2%). Conclusion DCCs can serve as a safe alternative caregiving sub- stitute based on good growth and development, good nutritional status, also good characteristics facilities

Keywords

• day care center
• growth and development
• toddlers
• working mothers