Comparison of the Availability of Nursery Services in Selected Voivodeship Capital Cities in Poland Using the Principal Component Analysis

Purpose - The aim of the article was to create new measures for assessing the effectiveness of care for children up to 3 years of age using the principal components method, and then to compare the research group according to the obtained variables. The study covered 11 largest Polish cities associated in the Union of Polish Metropolises (UPM). Research method - The article uses the principal components method (PCA), which made it possible to create unique measures and compare social behavior with regard to care for children up to 3 years of age in UPM cities. Results - In the case of the examined entities, 3 factors showed an acceptable percentage level of explaining the total variance. The new factors were used to visualize the coexistence of UPM cities due to the social problem under consideration. Originality / value / implications / recommendations - The results of the study can be used to create a comprehensive system for assessing the effectiveness of the social policy of local authorities, aimed at professional activation of young parents (families with children up to 3 years of age).