Self-report measures of attitudes and behaviors among Israeli family child care providers

This study tests the application of attitude and behavior theory to a social action program, family day care in Israel. Specifically 48 family day care providers were queried to determine their attitudes toward the importance of various training and supervision related issues and the extent to which they are addressed. The findings reveal major differences between what care providers consider important and the amount of attention devoted to the priorities. The results of this study tend to reflect a discrepancy that often exists in the context of social programs when the importance of program elements and the extent of energies being given to address priorities are examined. While little connection was found between the self-report attitudes and behaviors collected, the application of attitude and behavior theory appears to be a valuable methodology for information gathering when applied to social programs for evaluation purposes. Issues of emergency planning, relations with parents and supervisor, as well as physical space planning were identified as priorities for further development according to the study cohort.