Despite the safety and quality issues, parents continue to use unregistered childcare centres services for children early care and education. Thus, this qualitative phenomenological study explored how parents particularly whose children had been harmed under centre care made childcare decision. Seven working parents were selected using purposive sampling technique and interviewed. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed based on Braun and Clarke’s qualitative analysis approach with NVivo. This study discovered that parents’ decisions were compelled by structural and logistical pressures rather than lack of concern or awareness. Three themes emerged from the analysis; (1) (1) proximity and accessibility as key considerations for daily comfort and perceived safety, (2) affordability as a core factor of financial stress in childcare decision-making, and (3) flexibility of operating hours as a practical enabler for parents who need to work outside of hours. Overall, this study reveals that childcare decision-making is a complex process that can shift parents’ priorities from choosing safe childcare to opting for riskier alternatives due to economic and institutional constraints. The study highlights the need for systemic policy interventions to narrow the gap between parental needs and the childcare options available. Enhancing affordability, improving operational flexibility, and strengthening regulatory clarity are essential to support safer decision-making. Expanding access to affordable, regulated childcare is crucial to ensuring children’s well-being and supporting parents in the workforce.

Authors:
Norlaile Salleh Hudin, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
Nur Shahira Ahmad, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
Nur Farah Ain Abd Shukor, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Norlaile Salleh Hudin is a Senior Lecturer in risk management at Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia. Her recent research project focuses on parental and caregiver risk-based decision-making in childcare settings.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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