RESUMEN
Background: There are 2 dimensions of childcare quality: process and structure. The interactions, activities, materials, learning opportunities, health and safety routines refer to process quality. Structural quality includes the group size, adult-child ratio and professional training of staff. No large scale studies are available on the quality of Sri Lankan childcare centres. Objectives: To assess the quality of preschool and day care centres in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area and to evaluate how structural inputs and cost influence the process quality. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study Method: Process quality was assessed using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale-Revised. The cost and structural quality was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Overall process quality was mediocre, with 25% preschools being of poor quality and 6% being of good quality. Over half the centres did not have appropriate number of staff. Eighty percent of child groups were larger than appropriate. Only 8% of centres were led by a graduate. Of the teachers, 90% had preschool teacher training. Smaller student groups cared for by a higher number of staff had significantly higher process quality. Better quality preschools cost more. Conclusions: The quality of care provided by childcare centres in the 6 Medical Officer of Health areas of CMC area was mediocre.