Organizational Citizenship Behavior among Daycare Caregivers in Central Java: Implications for Professional Commitment and Future Educator Development

Abstract

The increasing demand for daycare services and the complexity of early childhood education require caregivers not only to possess formal competencies but also to demonstrate positive organizational behavior that supports service quality and institutional effectiveness. In recent years, Indonesia has faced increasing cases of violence and neglect in daycare institutions, highlighting the importance of caregiver professionalism, organizational culture, and institutional support systems in ensuring children’s safety and well-being. In daycare settings, caregivers play a strategic role in supporting children’s early development and creating a safe learning environment. Therefore, understanding Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) among daycare caregivers is important for strengthening professional commitment and preparing future educators. This study aimed to describe the OCB of daycare caregivers in Central Java Province, Indonesia. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed involving 333 daycare caregivers from several regions in Central Java. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the Organizational Citizenship Behavior framework encompassing the dimensions of altruism, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, courtesy, civic virtue, peacekeeping, and cheerleading. The findings showed that daycare caregivers demonstrated a moderate level of OCB (M = 2.55; SD = 0.25). The results indicate that caregivers generally exhibit positive discretionary behaviors that support teamwork, organizational effectiveness, and service quality. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening organizational culture, professional development programs, and institutional support systems to improve daycare service quality and foster professional commitment among caregivers.