Profile and Needs Analysis of Child Development Workers in One Municipality in the Province of Laguna, Philippines

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) is a critical component in the holistic development of children, and early childhood teachers are instrumental in creating rapid physical, mental, and emotional growth in socially supportive environments for their learners. This study is focused on assessing the needs of the Child Development Workers (CDWs) in one municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. The descriptive research design was used in the study. It employed a survey questionnaire and a Focused Group Discussion that involved 11 CDWs. Frequency and percentage distribution were used to describe the profile of the respondents, their training needs and interests, their further learning preferences, and the ECCD Domains where they need additional assistance and interventions. The study concludes that the age bracket and length of experience in ECCD of most CDWs, in cognizance of the majority being married, reflect their capacity to teach the children entrusted by parents under their care. Consequently, their educational background and professional development, specifically in terms of opportunities for training to capacitate themselves continuously, showed inadequacies. The common topics of interest and further learning preferences of the CDWs range from teaching strategies, child development, curriculum planning and delivery, development of learning materials, assessment of children, and classroom management. The findings may serve as the basis for providing interventions, extension activities, and training services to the CDWs for the enhancement of the 8 ECCD Domains among learners.