Caregivers’ perception of quality in daycare centres within the RMG sector in Bangladesh

Abstract

This qualitative study explored how working mothers employed in Bangladesh’sReady-Made Garment (RMG) sector perceive the quality of daycare centres attendedby their young children. Conducted in Gazipur and Savar, the study used semistructured in-depth interviews with 14 working mothers and key informant interviews with daycare managers and factory stakeholders. Thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s framework identified seven themes: defining quality through daily observation; safety and physical environment; hygiene and sanitation; caregiver-child interaction and emotional care; food, nutrition, and daily routines; communication, trust, and overall satisfaction; and mothers’ suggestions for improvement. Findings show that mothers assess daycare quality mainly through visible and relational indicators, including cleanliness, safety, caregiver warmth, feeding practices, and regular communication, rather than formal regulatory or educational standards. Workplace realities such as long working hours, rigid shifts, and limited family support strongly shape mothers’ expectations and reliance on daycare. The study highlights the gap between policy requirements and everyday daycare experiences and offers practical implications for factory management, childcare policy, and early childhood development programming in Bangladesh