Organizational capacity building in childcare: promoting children's mental health

Abstract

Mental health promotion is not included in core childcare training or in intervention programmes for family day care (FDC). The aim of this study was to identify key FDC strategies for a children's social and emotional well-being intervention. Three focus groups and five individual interviews were conducted with FDC educators, as well as one focus group with FDC fieldworkers. Content analysis guided data analysis and issues were mapped onto a health promotion capacity-building framework. Capacity-building strategies in the key areas of workforce development, resource allocation, and enhancing leadership and creating partnerships were identified. Issues to be managed included lack of resources and time and unclear role delineation for educators and fieldworkers. Worker insight into capacity-building strategies and potential barriers are essential to shape much needed and timely mental health promotion programmes in FDC.

Keywords:

• capacity building
• mental health
• childcare
• family day care