This study set out to evaluate how child-friendly North Central ECCE schools were.Two hypotheses and two research questions served as the study’s compass. All 272 of the teachers at the 34 North Central schools that UNICEF had designated as child-friendly schools made up the study’s population. 68 parents of ECCE students and 272 teachers made up the study’s sample. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires in order to address the research objectives and develop hypotheses that would direct the investigation. Three professionals verified this instrument. Mean scores and standard deviation were used to arrange and analyze the data in accordance with the research questions, and the t-test was run at the 0.05 significance level.The study’s main deductions were that: North Central ECCE schools are generally child-friendly in terms of quality learning outcomes; they are generally accessible; and there is no discernible difference between the mean child-friendly status of North Central’s urban and rural ECCE schools. These results led to the conclusion that, in order to enhance basic ECCE in North Central, a child-friendly school model would need to be implemented. Therefore, the study’s main educational implication was that stakeholders should work harder to establish an environment that is interesting enough to encourage kids to learn new things through kid-friendly school models. Thus, the researchers suggested that teacher and community capacity building be used to demonstrate quality assurance. This study’s primary drawback is intrinsic to the way it was designed. As a result, the researchers recommended using a checklist and other research designs to confirm the study’s relevant factors.
Keywords: Education, North Central Nigeria, Unicef’s child-friendly school’s guidline, accessible education early childhood care, promoting quality
