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BackgroundAccountability strategies are expected to enhance access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service delivery in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). Conventional formal social accountability mechanisms (SAMs) for WASH service delivery have been inadequate to meet the needs of residents in informal settlements in LMICs. This has prompted growing interest in alternative informal SAMs (iSAMs) in Nairobi's informal settlements. To date, iSAMs have shown a limited effect, often due to implementation failures and poor contextual fit. In childcare centers in Nairobi's informal settlements, co-creation of the iSAMs process, where parents, childcare managers, researchers and other WASH stakeholders, contribute to the design and implementation of iSAMs, is an approach with the potential to meet urgent WASH needs. However, to our knowledge, no study has documented (1) co-creating iSAMs processes for WASH service delivery in childcare centers and (2) self-evaluation of the co-creation process in the informal settlements.MethodsWe used a qualitative approach where we collected data through workshops and focus group discussions to document and inform (a) co-creation processes of SAMs for WASH service delivery in childcare centers and (b) self-evaluation of the co-creation process. We used a framework approach for data analysis informed by Coleman's framework.ResultsStudy participants co-created an iSAM process that entailed: definition; action and sharing information; judging and assessing; and learning and adapting iSAMs. The four steps were considered to increase the capability to meet WASH needs in childcare centers. We also documented a self-evaluation appraisal of the iSAM process. Study participants described that the co-creation process could improve understanding, inclusion, ownership and performance in WASH service delivery. Negative appraisals described included financial, structural, social and time constraints.ConclusionWe conclude that the co-creation process could address contextual barriers which are often overlooked, as it allows understanding of issues through the ‘eyes' of people who experience service delivery issues. Further, we conclude that sustainable and equitable WASH service delivery in childcare centers in informal settlements needs research that goes beyond raising awareness to fully engage and co-create to ensure that novel solutions are developed at an appropriate scale to meet specific needs. We recommend that actors should incorporate co-creation in identification of feasible structures for WASH service delivery in childcare centers and other contexts.

The article focuses on a research which examines that how New Zealand addresses disaster preparedness among childcare facilities. It highlights five factors essential for childcare center emergency preparedness including planning and developing an emergency plan with policy clarity, informal and formal communication between government agencies and childcare centers and role of leadership as a key component of preparedness in childcare centers.

This exploratory study examines disaster preparedness in childcare centers. It was conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand--a small nation at risk to many types of hazards--to understand, ultimately, how best to keep very young children safe in disasters. To add to the discussion of disaster preparedness for childcare centers and children's vulnerability in disasters, the study utilized interviews with childcare center directors and teachers, government employees, and researchers, and carried out observations at childcare centers and at government-sponsored trainings. The themes that were identified in the data are five elements that are key in the process of implementing preparedness measures, namely regulation clarity, communication, leadership, training, and community networks. Factors that hinder or assist childcare center preparedness are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used Google Analytics to assess whether annual kids' art competitions changed traffic to a Web site on appropriate antibiotic use. We found that announcements about kids' art competitions correlated with increased traffic to the Web site, suggesting that this innovation has promise in promoting antimicrobial stewardship efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceptions of childcare center directors in for-profit and non-profit childcare centers were examined. Previous research indicates that childcare employees are poorly compensated, not properly trained, and dissatisfied with their work environment. This study explores further into the training, work environment, and job satisfactions of childcare center directors. Questionnaires were distributed throughout a southeast state in the United States to three hundred and ten childcare center directors from for-profit and non-profit centers. Levels of job satisfaction, work environments (including employment benefits and challenges), and the educational and training experiences of for-profit and non-profit childcare center directors were examined. There were no significant differences between for-profit and non-profit center directors in their perceptions of job satisfaction and in their reports of benefits and challenges. However, there was a significant difference in education level of directors with directors of non-profit centers having higher educational attainment than directors of for-profit centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]