Purpose This paper aims to study parental expectations of and satisfaction with overall services of preschool centres and to determine the factors which affect parents’ satisfaction in a part of one of Thailand’s southern provinces. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from parents of children attending 29 day-care or preschool centres in Songkhla Province, South Thailand, over a two-month period in the Spring 2014. The data were analysed mainly using descriptive statistics and some correlation analyses with subsequent logical interpretation. Findings Given the location and non-compulsory nature of the childcare provision being assessed, it would seem fair to say that the answer to the overarching objective was fairly positive. Expectations were non-trivial; parents looked for more than “baby-minding” and expected there to be some appropriately qualified staff. The perceived satisfaction levels indicate that there is nevertheless scope for improvement. Research limitations/implications The sample studied is from a limited geographical region of Thailand; hence, there must be some caution in making recommendations for the whole country. Practical implications As the outcomes being delivered are seen to be mainly positive by parents and guardians, the policy implication for the Thai Government is that they should continue to promote, and ideally enhance, this kind of early years provision. Results suggest that Thai parents would be well advised to make use of childcare centres to promote the socialisation and development of their children. Originality/value The originality of the work derives from the lack of similar systematic studies in Thailand and, in particular, for the rural southern provinces.

中文翻译：

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父母对学前中心服务的期望和满意度：以泰国宋卡府为例

目的本文旨在研究父母对学前中心总体服务的期望和满意度，并确定影响泰国南部省份之一的父母满意度的因素。设计/方法/方法数据是使用结构化问卷从2014年春季的两个月内，从在泰国南部宋卡府的29个日托或学前班就读的儿童的父母那里收集的。主要使用描述性统计数据进行分析。以及一些相关分析和随后的逻辑解释。调查结果鉴于正在评估的托儿服务的位置和非强制性，可以说，实现总体目标的答案是相当积极的。期望是不平凡的；父母寻求的不仅仅是“照顾孩子”，而且期望有一些适当的合格员工。感觉到的满意程度表明，仍有改进的余地。研究局限性/意义本研究样本来自泰国有限的地理区域。因此，在为整个国家提出建议时必须谨慎行事。实际意义由于父母和监护人认为交付的成果主要是积极的，因此对泰国政府的政策含义是，他们应继续促进并理想地加强这种早期的规定。结果表明，最好建议泰国父母利用托儿所来促进孩子的社交和发展。