Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate availability, adequacy, use
and maintenance of outdoor play materials and equipment in public Early
Childhood Education & Development (ECDE) Centers in Sotik Sub-County,
Bomet County. This study was guided by the following research objectives: to
find out the availability of play materials and equipment in the schools; to
investigate the use of existing play materials and equipment; to examine the
maintenance/sustainability of existing plays materials and equipment. To
achieve these objectives, the study used a descriptive survey design with a
mixed methods methodology for collecting the primary data. Public ECD
Centers in Sotik Sub-County were sampled through stratified and simple
random sampling techniques. The major findings were that different kinds of
play materials are available to different public ECDE Centers. Some of these
materials included; slides, swings, see-saw, ladders and platforms, climbers,
balls, beam balance, tyres, beanbags and hoops. On use, the study found that
the available play materials were in use although significant numbers were not
available or not in use due to their poor working conditions. The study also
found that the use of outdoor play materials was helpful to the children‟s
holistic development. On availability, the study found that although majority of
the play materials and equipment were available they were not adequate. On
maintenance, the study found that almost all the respondents indicated that
play materials with moveable parts such as swings and sea-saws were being
maintained by greasing and lubrication, while others were being maintained by
washing. The study recommended that the school stakeholders such as school
administration, government and parents should examine the various ways of
ensuring adequacy of play materials in ECDE Centers. More essentially, the
government through the Ministry of Education should come up with programs
and policies of providing adequate equipment and encourage the use of play
materials in ECDE Centers.