Social Capital Role in Potential Development of Child Development Center: A case study of Wat Prom Wihan Child Development Center, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This study aims to explore the situation and social capital in the community that can be used to develop the potential of Wat Prom Wihan Child Development Center in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai province. This center is located in urban area close to border crossing zone has 3 teachers, 6 teacher assistances and 3 classrooms for 90 children age between 2-3 years old. In-depth interview was used in data collecting process by purposive sampling with stakeholders and key informants such as local government, health care providers, academic officers, community leaders, local wisdom elite, Buddhist monks, parents, administrator and staffs of child care center. The result showed that Wat Prom Wihan Child Development Center has problems with 1) Administrative management 2) Environmental 3) Curriculum of educational experience management 4) Health care 5) Family and community participation. Wat Prom Wihan Child Development Center has social capital which means every potential resource from the community collaborated in development quality of early childhood. 1) Human capital; high potential personnel, including religious leader, community leader, and local wisdom elite 2) Social networks such as housewife, youth, elderly group and outside organizations 3) Places and natural resource and 4) Cultural capital and local wisdom. Social capital study should be done in parallel with situation analysis and bring the result to develop quality of early childhood for sustainable development of early childhood in the community.