Parent motivations for enrolling their young children in early childhood programs: an application of the theory of planned behaviour

This study used the theory of planned behaviour to identify and determine the relative influence of factors influencing parents' decisions to enrol their young children (3 to 5 years old) in early childhood programs at a specific museum venue. An eliciting questionnaire was distributed to museum members with at least one child 3-5 years old to elicit outcome expectancies, normative beliefs, and control beliefs, and these responses were developed into items for the main questionnaire. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with parents' intention to enrol their children. Parents across socioeconomic and educational backgrounds indicated they wanted to enrich their children's lives. Access to resources was the strongest predictor of parent motivations to enrol their children. Findings have implications for normative parenting constructs and for broader issues of resource access for early childhood programs.