Management of Resources and Its Influence on Development among Children in Public Early Childhood Education Centers in Nakuru County, Kenya

Countries around the world have realized the significance of early years, and this is why much effort has been directed toward early childhood education. The Sustainable Development Goal 4.2.2 envisages that by 2030, all boys and girls should have access to quality, relevant and equitable early childhood education. Child development and early learning aim to provide a foundation through which later learning and lifelong process is established. However, most studies have revealed that most public preschools still face the challenge of inadequate resources. This research, therefore, aimed at assessing the management of resources and their influence on development among children in public early childhood centers of Kuresoi South, Nakuru County. The study sampled 17 schools through simple random sampling, a sample size of 17 headteachers through simple random sampling, and 34 teachers through purposive sampling. Questionnaires and observation checklists were used for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as the frequencies and percentages and output presented in the form of tables and figures. Qualitative data was analyzed via content analysis and presented thematically in the form of narratives. The findings revealed the need for adequate management of physical facilities, instructional resources, play materials and teacher management for effective child development. The findings prompted recommendations on the need for constant supervision of the existing physical facilities, the importance of secured funding for ECDE schools to enable the purchase of instructional and play resources and the need to have a clear policy on teacher recruitment.