The Effect of Public Postings on Early Childhood Care Providers' Behavior in an Infant Room

Abstract

This study used a multiple-baseline design across two time periods to evaluate the effects of public posting on the quality of infant care in an early childhood program. The participants were 4 female caregivers. During baseline, a preexisting posted schedule of play activities was posted. During intervention, a new posting program was implemented that consisted of activity cards, an activity sheet, a caregiver rotation schedule, and caregiver instructions. Increased compliance with play area protocol (e.g., compliance with posted activity, toy rotation) and increased caregiver verbal and physical contact with infants was observed. The changes were largely maintained during follow-up. These findings (a) demonstrate that public posting can improve caregivers' compliance with play area protocol and their rates of contact with infants, (b) contribute to the literature on the usefulness of public postings as a means of improving staff performance, and (c) support the "zone" approach to classroom organization.