The Application of Deming Cycle (PDCA) to Enhance the Quality of Childcare Centers in Central Thailand to Reach the National Standard

In 2012 the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand set up the National Standard for Childcare Centers comprising 14 indicators as a quality control for childcare centers countrywide. This research... [ view full abstract ]

In 2012 the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand set up the National Standard for Childcare Centers comprising 14 indicators as a quality control for childcare centers countrywide. This research project applied the Deming Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act : PDCA) to assist twelve childcare centers in Central Thailand which had not reached the National Standard to improve their operation. The twelve childcare centers were selected from different backgrounds and affiliations to serve as showcases for other childcare centers in the country. The researchers used the Participatory Action Research (PAR) in the counseling and monitoring, focusing on three aspects, i.e., 1) the administration of childcare centers 2) the administration of learning process to promote child development 3) quality of children.

The result showed that all childcare centers achieved higher scores after the process. Among them, nine centers passed the National Standard at excellent level and one center passed at good level. The methods used to promote the quality enhancement of the childcare centers are 1) organizing learning activities through “Do it Together” approach to enhance understanding and real-situational practices 2) continuous counseling and monitoring of the centers’ application of knowledge gained from the learning activities to allow researchers to help identify and solve problems once occurred, and 3) utilizing online counseling to enhance the continuity and effectiveness of counseling and information exchange between centers and counselors.

The study, therefore, recommended that all three aforementioned methods be utilized in counseling and knowledge provision to childcare centers nationwide to help promote the quality enhancement of Thai childcare centers to reach the National Standard.