ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to determine the difference of Importance and Performance Related service management and feeding practices of teachers at mealtime in childcare centers. METHODS: In December, 2013, questionnaires were completed by teachers working at childcare centers in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. A total of 179 teachers responded to questions regarding perceived importance and degree of performing related service management and feeding practices at mealtime in childcare centers. Factor analysis and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) were used. RESULTS: Four factors including 11 items were represented by factor analysis: 'Personal hygiene management', 'Feeding practice', 'Food material management', and 'Service at serving foods'. For 'Personal hygiene management', scores for perception on importance and performance were 4.42 and 3.84 points of 5 that were the lowest among factors. As a result of IPA, teachers were aware of the importance and performed well, 'Encouraging and praising children's eating habits at mealtime', 'Giving thanks before and after a meal', and 'Sitting and eating with children at mealtime' belonged to 'Feeding practice'; whereas they were not aware of the importance and performed insufficiently, 'Wearing the hygiene hat for serving foods', 'Wearing disposable gloves for serving foods', and 'Wearing the apron for serving foods' belonged to 'Personal hygiene management'. CONCLUSION: For children's health and safety in foodservice at childcare centers, personal hygiene management is very important when cooking as well as serving food. The results suggest that education targeting personal hygiene management is necessary for management of hygiene by teachers while serving food in childcare centers. In addition, guidelines on service management and feeding practice are needed for teachers working at childcare centers.