Food Service Status at Community Child Care Centers in Busan

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the food service status of community child care centers in Busan. A survey was conducted from November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012 using questionnaires. Overall, 66.7% of the community child care centers had a separate dining room. The satisfaction score of the kitchen facility was 4.32 and the satisfaction degree of the dining place was 3.95. Most of the community child care centers were not managed by professionals and the food service was in a relatively poor status. In 61.3% of the community child care centers, the director of the center purchased the foodstuffs. In addition, approximately 72% of the child care centers directly purchased foodstuffs. When preparing meals, nutrition (73.0%), cost (13.5%), and preference (4.5%) were considered as the important factors for respondents. Overall, there were demands for increasing meal costs and improving the food service facilities. In addition, a higher degree of hygiene management resulted in a higher degree of satisfaction from children. Therefore, to improve food service performance at community child care centers, food services should be assisted by professionals and the person in charge of foodservices should be educated food service management.