The Influence of Parental Level of Income in Pre-School Preference in Nyamira Division, Nyamira County- Kenya

This study investigates the parental level of income in pre-school preference for their young children in Nyamira division, Nyamira county-Kenya. The objective of this study was to determine the sources that parents use to earn income to support their children in preschools. The target population was 79 head teachers, 227 preschool teachers and 4200 parents whose children are in pre-school from both public and private schools from 3 zones in Nyamira Division. The sample size was 10% of the target population and random and purposive sampling techniques was used to sample the population, Mugenda and Mugenda (2006). The study adopted descriptive research design and was informed by the Bromfenbrenner’s ecological theory of human development. The data collection instruments were questionnaires and interview schedules. Simple random techniques and purpose techniques were used to select primary school head teacher, pre-school teachers and parents. Using simple random sampling techniques, 10% of the parents were selected. Purposive sampling was used to select the 10% of for primary school head teachers and pre-school head. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics was used to describe and summarize data in form of frequencies distribution tables and means. The inferential statistics was used to make inference sand draw conclusions.The statistical package for social sciences (SSPS) version 22 was used to analyze data. Those from the interview schedules were analyzed using thematic analysis approach. The study found that parents with high income levels preferred private and expensive preschools due to quality of education offered in those preschools. On the other hand parents with low income prefer either cheap or public preschools for their children. The key recommendation was that the government should support parents with grants and small loans so that they can be able to support their preschool children in better and quality preschools.