The United States did not have a federal policy on child care until 1990 when portions of two bills (H.R.3 and S.7) were incorporated in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. The lack of a policy was not due to neglect; child care advocates made several attempts during the 1970s to pass legislation. In an effort to understand why child care succeeded in 1990, this thesis examines how child care got on the decision agenda, the "short list" of the government agenda. Using John Kingdon's framework (1984) I analyze the process by which child care legislation was able to make the successful transition from the committee forum to the floors of Congress for a vote, and thus becoming a part of the decision agenda. / Master of Arts

The study was carried out to investigate the implementation of the Malawian ECD policy in CBCCC in Namatubi Kanyenjere area. Both primary and secondary techniques were used to carry out the research. Literature review was carried out to ascertain the evolvement of ECD over the years and establish the basis of the current policy. Interviews were carried out with three respondent groups namely CBCCC committees, care givers and government officials. This was done to assess perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of the ECD policy among communities as well as the roles played by different stakeholders in the policy implementation. Over 90% of the CBCCC in Chitipa were initiated by communities and duly registered by the government. However there is little monitoring thereof by the government officials which dwindles the activities of the centres. Communities, stakeholders and government face various challenges that require concerted efforts to help improve the implementation of the ECD policy. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / The child's becoming is influenced by the education situation as a whole. The mother-child relationship plays a crucial role to the child's becoming, hence the initial bonding between mother and child is considered all-important. All further becoming is based on the motherchild relationship. Another factor that influences becoming is the family situation, with specific reference to the father. Because the family functions in the context of a particular society, the shift of emphasis in the modem family and social factors cannot be discounted in the discription of becoming. Becoming takes place in conjunction with learning, development and maturation. These processes are differentiable but inseparable. The different domains of becoming and development, namely the affective, cognitive, normative, physical and social, form the overall context within which the child is investigated. An adequate educational environment leads tot the child's adequate becoming. At the centre of any adequate educational environment is the educator acting as mediator between child and learning content. Both the primary and the secondary educational situation should comply with the requisites for adequacy. An empirical investigation was undertaken in accordance with ideographic research methods. The status of overall becoming and development in children who had been subjected to different types of daycare was determined in relation to the education situation as a whole, which is why both the primary and the secondary educational situation were drawn into the investigation. This research has produced the finding that daycare does not necessarily harm the child's becoming. The overall educational situation must be considered at all times. Daycare has a recognisable influence on the child's becoming, but the mother-child relationship is the most decisive factor for the child's becoming. / Kinderlike wording word deur die opvoedingsituasie as totaliteit belnvloed. Die moederkindverhouding speel die allerbelangrikste rol by kinderlike wording. Daarom word die aanvanklike binding tussen moeder en kind baie hoog aangeskryf. Alie verdere wording word geskoei op die moeder-kindverhouding. Die gesinsituasie, met spesifieke verwysing na die vader, is verdere faktore wat wording belnvloed. Omdat die gesin binne 'n bepaalde samelewing funksioneer, kan die klemverskuiwing van die moderne gesin en die samelewingsfaktore nie buite rekening gelaat word by die beskrywing van wording nie. Wording vind sy neerslag in samewerking met leer, ontwikkeling en ryping. Hierdie begrippe is onderskeibaar, maar kan nooit geskei word nie. Die verskillende domeine van wording en ontwikkeling, naamlik die affektiewe, kognitiewe, normatiewe, fisieke en sosiale domeine, vorm die totaliteit waarbinne die kind beskou word. 'n Toereik:ende opvoedingsmilieu gee aanleiding tot toereikende wording by die kind. Midde 'n toereikende opvoedingsmilieu staan die opvoeder as bemiddelaar tussen die kind en die inhoud. Die primere sowel as die sekondere opvoedingsituasies behoort aan die vereistes van toereikendheid te voldoen. 'n Empiriese ondersoek is aan die hand van die ideografiese navosingsontwerp onderneem. Die wording en ontwikkeling van kinders vanuit verskillende tipes dagsorg is bepaal. Die wording en ontwikkeling van die kind in totaliteit word in aanmerking geneem. Wording word dan in verband gebring met die opvoedingsituasie in sy totaliteit. Daarom is die primere sowel as die sekondere situasies by die ondersoek betrek. Hierdie navorsing bevind dat kinderlike wording nie noodwendig negatief deur dagsorg beinvloed word nie. Die totale opvoedingsituasie van die kind moet telkens in berekening gebring word. Dagsorg oefen wel 'n invloed op kinderlike wording uit, maar die moederkindverhouding is die mees bepalende faktor by kinderlike wording. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition, Durban University of Technology, 2015. / Introduction: According to the American Dietetic Association, Child care facilities (CCFs) play an essential role in the nutritional status of children as children typically spend 4-8 hours a day at a facility. As a result, the meals should provide at least 50 – 60% of daily nutritional requirements. Worldwide CCF feeding has been found to be nutritionally inadequate as energy and most micronutrient requirements are not met by the meals provided, due to the lack of nutrition knowledge of the caregivers. Studies have shown that with appropriate training there has been improvement in nutritional standards. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the nutritional adequacy of menus offered; and to determine the nutritional status of children aged two to five years old in registered child care facilities in the Inanda area. Methodology: CCFs (n=10) in the Inanda area were randomly selected from multiple options to participate in the study. This study was conducted on children (boys (n= 91) and girls (n=109)) of ages two to five years old. Trained fieldworkers and teachers assisted in interviewing parents to complete the socio-demographic questionnaire. The researcher gathered menus and recipes for analysis, using Foodfinder Version 3 Software. The researcher also conducted plate-waste studies to determine consumption patterns during CCF meal times. Anthropometric measurements for weight and height were collected. In order to establish BMI-for-age and height-for-age, the WHO Anthro Software and WHO AnthroPlus Software were used. Ten food handlers (FHs) were interviewed by the researcher on food preparation and serving. Results: Most children (79.40%) originate from extended families that are female-headed. The highest form of education attained by most caregivers in the sample is standard 10 (47.74%) and 45.73% are unemployed. Of the 54.27% employed, 64.71% are informally employed. Most respondents (72.87%) are living on a total household income of less than R2500. The anthropometric results of the children show very low prevalence of severe stunting (1.74%) and stunting (5.42%). Less than halve (34.48%) of the children were at a possible risk of being overweight, 13.79% were overweight and 2.46% obese. The top 20 foods served in CCFs in Inanda were cereal-based staples of rice and maize meal more frequently than meat, dairy products and fruit and vegetables – all served far less frequently. All the CCFs did not meet the 60% of daily requirements for energy, fibre, calcium and vitamin C in foods served. The CCFs have well-equipped, designated kitchens for food storage, preparation, serving and good hygiene practices. Conclusion: Meals served to two to five year olds in registered CCFs in the Inanda area are nutritionally inadequate as most facilities do not contain 60% of the daily nutrient requirements from both daily meals served. Recommendations: CCF owners and Food handlers should receive proper training and retraining on food safety and hygiene and menu planning. The government should increase the subsidy to CCFs in order to meet the nutritional needs of children in order to aid in the alleviation of under-nutrition.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Food and Nutrition Consumer Science, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: South Africa, a richly diverse developing country has been faced by the consequences of transition attributed to urbanisation and acculturation. A Westernised lifestyle has, therefore, resulted in increasing disease patterns that are characterized by a combination of poverty-related diseases together with the emerging chronic diseases. The shift to a Westernised lifestyle has resulted to a shift in the composition of dietary staples leading to dietary factors related to an increase in lifestyle diseases. These include a high fat, low fibre diet, as well as an inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables. However, this in turn has led to higher energy intakes with insufficient and imbalanced micronutrient intake. Research conducted amongst the elderly in South Africa has clearly indicated that the elderly live within a limited financial budget leading to extreme levels of food insecurity and the social burden of being the head of the household, in addition to being the caregiver to grandchildren and sick children. Due to the current living status the elderly encounter reduced food intake in addition to a reduced variety in their diet, therefore, micronutrient deficiencies are common amongst this age group. Therefore, a consumption of energy-dense foods, particularly staple foods, to stretch the food budget which are more affordable and thus allow for an increased consumption is evident. Aim: To determine the socio-demographic profile, health and nutritional status in relation to the dietary intake patterns to reflect malnutrition among free living elderly (60yrs+) in Verulam. Methodology: Fifty nine randomly selected men and 191 women aged 60+ participated on a voluntary basis in this study. A descriptive survey method was used for this cross sectional study. Trained fieldworkers assisted with the administration of all questionnaires and a registered nurse measured blood pressure. Socio-demographic questionnaires were administered to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the elderly within this community. Anthropometric measurements determined the Body Mass Index according to the World Health Organisation and Asian cut-off points to indentify the risk factors. The Health questionnaire identified the health status correlated to the respondent’s profundity of disease and deficiencies associated to dietary patterns. Blood pressure measurements were taken to determine the hypertension prevalence related to the dietary intake. Two 24-Hour Recall questionnaires were completed by the 250 respondents to identify actual vii food intake and measured against the Dietary Recommended Intake (DRIs). A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) determined the respondent’s food variety score over a period of one week. The socio-demographic questionnaire, health questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were captured on an Excel® spread sheet by the researcher and analyzed for descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 with the assistance of a statistician. The 24-Hour Recall data were captured and analyzed by a nutrition professional using the MRC Food Finder® version 3.0 software, based on the South African Food Composition tables. Results: The majority of the respondent’s role in the family was mothers (70.8%) and lived in an urban area (68.8%). In addition, 73.2 percent (n=183) of the respondents shared the house with one to five people, and lived in a brick house (74.4%, n=186) with more than 3 rooms (74.0%, n=185). The elderly in this sample were pensioners and, therefore, 76.0 percent (n=190) received state grants of which the total household income ranged between R1001-R1500 (35.2%, n=88). Food insecurity is prevalent as reported by 28.4 percent. Primary school was the highest level of education completed by 52.4 percent (n=131) and English is the most spoken language amongst this group (74.0%, n=185). Women had higher BMI values particularly in the overweight (18.32%, n=35) and obese I and II (58.6%, n=112) categories when compared with men. Blood pressure measurements indicated that 60.0 percent (n=150) of the respondents suffered from hypertension. The use of chronic medication was reported by 84.4 percent (n=212). The total range of individual food items consumed by an individual during the seven-day data collection period measured by the (FFQ) was between 4-66 foods. However, the highest consumption was four food items by 23.2 percent (n=58) of the respondents. The summary of the food variety within food groups indicated a high dietary diversity, of which the other vegetable group reported the highest individual mean FVS (±SD) of 10.86 (±5.82), followed by other fruit, cereal, flesh and Vitamin A rich groups with 5.73 (±4.41), 5.03 (±1.85), 4.08 (±2.23) and 2.43 (±1.09) respectively. The nutrient analysis indicated a deficient intake by both men and women of all the nutrients, except for the mean (±SD) total protein in the women 45.10 (±12.55) and carbohydrate 212.83 (±36.97) in the men. The energy contribution indicated 98.3 percent (n=58) men and 85.72 percent (n=158) women consumed <100 percent of the EER for viii energy. However, the findings from the Top 20 food items measured by the 24-Hour Recall indicated that this community’s diet is largely carbohydrate-based, containing primarily starchy staple foods, sufficient intake of animal products, and insufficient intakes of dairy foods, fruit and vegetables, possibly resulting in the micronutrient deficiencies. The energy distribution of the macronutrients from the average of both 24-Hour Recalls indicates that both men and women are in range of 15-30 percent total fat intake, 10-15 percent protein and 55-75 percent carbohydrate. Conclusion: The results of the study reflect that the elderly in this community are faced with poverty, food insecurity as well as social factors thus contributing to a compromised nutritional status. The progression of malnutrition in particular overnutrition is experienced by the majority of the respondents in this study, however, an increased BMI and the prevalence of hypertension is a risk marker for noncommunicable diseases. However, the high prevalence of inadequate food and nutrient intake amongst elderly discloses the need for nutrition interventions and should be aimed at modifying the elderly food choices when purchasing food, healthier food preparation methods, increasing fruit and vegetable portions and improving daily physical activity to attain a better quality of life. / DUT Postgraduate Development and Support Directorate (PGD)

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Day care centers and schools are important environments for children, but few epidemiological studies exist from these environments. Mould, dampness, fungal DNA and allergens levels in these environments and respiratory health effects in school children were investigated in this thesis. In the day care centers studies, Allergen Avoidance Day care Centers (AADCs) and Ordinary Day care Centers were included. One third of the Swedish day care centers had a history of dampness or mould growth. Total fungal DNA levels were positively associated with risk construction buildings, reported dampness/moulds, rotating heat exchangers, linoleum floors and allergens (cat, dog, horse allergen) levels. The two school studies included secondary schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and elementary schools from five European countries (Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and France) (HESE-study). In Malaysia, 13 % of the pupils reported doctor-diagnosed asthma but only 4 % had asthma medication. The prevalence of wheeze in the last 12 months was 10 % in Malaysia and 13 % in the HESE-study. Cough and rhinitis were common among children in the HESE-study. There were associations between fungal DNA and reported dampness or mould growth. Fungal DNA levels and viable mould (VM) concentration in the classrooms were associated with respiratory symptoms (wheeze, rhinitis, cough, daytime breathlessness) in school children. In the HESE-study, associations were found between total fungal DNA, Aspergillus/Penicillium DNA and respiratory symptoms among children. Moreover, Aspergillus versicolor DNA and Streptomyces DNA were associated with respiratory symptoms in Malaysia and the HESE-study, as well as reduced lung function [forced vitality capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)] among children in the HESE-study. In conclusion, fungal DNA and pet allergens were common in day care centers and schools and respiratory symptoms in school children were common. The associations between VM concentration and fungal DNA levels in the schools and respiratory health effects in school children indicated a need for improvement of these environments. Moreover, risk constructions should be avoided and buildings should be maintained to avoid dampness and microbial growth. Health relevance of microbial exposure and biodiversity needs to be further studied using molecular methods.

Interactions of children and adults in two child care groups were observed and examined. Each group was observed as a same-age multiple caregiver group and eight months later as a multi-age constant caregiver group. Twenty indicators were used to evaluate positive interactions. Analysis showed positive interactions occur in multi-age constant caregiver groups. Multi-age constant caregiver groups enhance the interest of caregivers in children and promote development and interaction of language between caregivers and peers. This study indicates a multi-age constant caregiver group is an alternative to meet the needs of young children by increasing and enhancing positive interactions with caregivers and peers.

Behavioral skills training (BST) packages have been successful in increasing change agents’ correct implementation of various procedures. The current study evaluated the effects of a brief BST package to train daycare teachers to implement incidental teaching procedures with toddlers. The brief BST consisted of a set of written instructions, a two-minute video model, rehearsal, and feedback during session. Results demonstrated that teachers increased their correct implementation of incidental teaching procedures following training. In addition, two of the three toddlers increased the frequency of signs to request attention.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi subsidiar a implementação de sistemas de qualidade em Unidades de Alimentação e Nutrição (UAN) de centros de educação infantil municipais a fim de garantir a segurança dos alimentos oferecidos às crianças assistidas, as quais constituem um grupo de risco. A amostra constituiu-se de dois centros educacionais infantis (CEI) municipais, representativos do município de Piracicaba/SP. A avaliação das Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF) foi realizada a partir do emprego de uma lista de verificação, do monitoramento das temperaturas de equipamentos e de preparações integrantes das refeições e análises microbiológicas de amostras coletadas em diferentes etapas de produção de duas preparações consideradas de maior risco, de cada UAN. Com base nos resultados desta avaliação destacaramse as não conformidades com prioridade de adequação e as respectivas ações corretivas, as quais foram consideradas superadas na elaboração do fluxograma vertical e na descrição das etapas das preparações selecionadas. Os perigos e pontos críticos de controle foram identificados, para cada preparação selecionada, assim como as ações preventivas, os procedimentos de monitoramento, das ações corretivas e de verificação, de acordo com os princípios estabelecidos para a implementação do Sistema de Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle &#150; APPCC. A avaliação das BPF demonstrou um nível de adequação aos procedimentos de, em média, 64,3%. Dos procedimentos não conformes, 35,7% são condicionados à capacitação e supervisão de pessoal e podem ser superados com os recursos municipais, uma vez que se observou a disponibilidade de equipe técnica especializada na área de alimentação e nutrição no setor responsável pelo gerenciamento do Programa. Considerando-se que as BPF são o principal prérequisito na implementação do Sistema, o atual nível de adequação e condições estruturais das unidades municipais devem, ainda, contar com investimentos da Prefeitura Municipal para atingir um padrão satisfatório à implementação da APPCC. Os resultados obtidos constituem-se em importantes subsídios para o planejamento do Sistema que poderá ser implantado, com as devidas adequações, em toda a rede de CEI, pois as condições operacionais se repetem nos demais por terem o gerenciamento centralizado. / The objective of this work was to subsidize the implementation of quality systems in foodservice establishments at municipals day-care centers in order to guarantee the security of foods offered to the attended children, which constitute a risk group. The sample consisted of two municipals day-care centers, representative at Piracicaba/SP. The evaluation of Good Manufacture Practices (GMP) was based in a check-list, a temperatures verification of equipment and integrant preparations of the meals and microbiological analyses of samples collected in different stages of production of two preparations considered of higher risk, in each day-care center. Based on this results, emphasized the non conformities with priority of adequacy and the respective corrective actions, which had been considered surpassed in the elaboration of the vertical flux diagram and in the stages description of the selected preparations. The hazards and critical control points had been identified, for each preparation, as well as the preventive actions, the procedures of monitoring, corrective actions and verification, in accordance with the principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). The evaluation of the GMP demonstrated an adequacy level to the procedures of, in average, 64,3%. The 35,7% nonconforms refered to the qualification and supervision of staff and can be surpassed with municipal resources, through the technical team specialized in the foodservice and nutrition responsible for the Program management. Considering that the GMP are the main prerequisite in the implementation of the System, the current level of adequacy and structural conditions of the municipal units must need on investments of the Municipal Administration to reach a satisfactory adequacy to the implementation of the HACCP. The results consist in an important subsidies for the planning of the System that could be implanted, with adequacies, in all the CEI attended for the Program, because of centralized management provide the same operational conditions.