Abstract:
Teachers are important resources in the teaching and learning process and should
therefore be considered alongside other learning resources. They are the best
recourses to be built into a particular teaching strategy designed to achieve a specific
learning practice for instance thematic approach, without which can be administrative
problem to head-teachers. Without adequate resource materials, it is a drawback to the
implementation of new ideas and techniques. The study sought to investigate resource
capacities of ECDE centers in supporting thematic approach in teaching in early
childhood development centers in Eldoret Municipality. It was guided by Kurt
Lewin’s Three Stages of Change Model developed in 1954. The study adopted the
Descriptive Survey research Design. The target population comprised 266
respondents comprising of 164 ECDE teachers, 82 head teachers and 20 Educational
Officials. Stratified sampling was used to select thirty schools out of eighty two
schools; Public and Private Schools which translated to 30% of the total sample
population. Purposive sampling was used to select all the head teachers to participate
in the study while random sampling was also used to select one ECDE teacher. Instrumentation included the questionnaire, interview guide and document analysis. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Majority of the ECDC’s
have inadequate resources and capacities both physical and human required
supporting the implementation of thematic approach in teaching ECD children. The
head teachers who supervise the curriculum in their schools are also not ECDE
compliant hence, may not have be in a position to advice the teachers concerning the
approach appropriately. The study recommended that ECDCs be equipped with
adequate and developmentally appropriate materials and resources.
