Self-assessment of infection prevention competency for early childhood teachers: a developed and validated scale

This study aimed to develop and validate the Infection Prevention Competency Self-assessment for Early Childhood Teachers (IPCS-ECT) in child daycare centers using the DeVellis method. The participants consisted of 422 early childhood teachers (ECTs) working in child daycare centers across South Korea. The initial eighty-eight items were generated based on literature review and in-depth interviews. Exploratory Factor Analysis provided 8-factor 38 items explaining 69.1% of the variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis named the eight factors: “leadership and proficiency,” “environmental management,” “knowledge and documentation,” “surveillance,” “infection risk management,” “educational guidance,” “research and empowerment,” and “personal management.” The tool showed adequate fit (X² /df = 1.799, GFI = 0.913 and RMSEA = 0.062) and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.932). The IPCS-ECT is a reliable and valid tool. It can be used as an indicator to improve infection prevention competency through the self-assessment of ECTs.