Evaluation of the Early Years Programme of the Childhood Development Initiative: Full Report
Year: 2013
Type: report
Abstract: For several years now, the Government, most recently though my own Department, has demonstrated a serious and significant commitment to the area of prevention and early intervention.Since 2007, we have, in partnership with Atlantic Philanthropies, made a considerable investment in the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme, which constitutes the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI), youngballymun and Preparing for Life, Darndale.Specifically, my Department has introduced and maintained a universal free pre-school year, a move which is directly related to this commitment and recognises this period of children's lives as a key time for impacting positively on later trajectories.The publication of this report is timely, as the first National Early Years Strategy is being developed by my Department, working with the sector.The Strategy will support the many other important developments in this sector, which aim to improve quality and outcomes, such as the implementation of Síolta and Aistear in Early Years services.Collectively, we are developing a deeper understanding of "what works" for children and families and together we can maximise the positive experiences that a quality Early Years service can offer to children and their parents.This evaluation did not set out to establish whether or not supports prior to commencing school are of value: this is well established internationally.Rather, it explored the potential benefits of wrap-around supports, such as parental engagement, improved connections with health services and the impact of professional development and reflective practice.These are important considerations in further developing our common understanding of 'what works', as well as being relevant in the context of a public reform agenda which seeks to improve our effectiveness and efficiency.Investment in prevention and early intervention remains central to this Government, not only for the health and well-being of the nation, but also for its economic recovery.That is why I am determined that the new Child and Family Support Agency will have a strong focus on prevention and early intervention.This commitment was further manifest in the recent Budget announcement regarding the development of area-based responses to child poverty.I would expect that this new initiative will further develop and consolidate much of the learning from the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme.I congratulate all involved in completing what was undoubtedly a complex evaluation process and I welcome the valuable learning and findings within this report.
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W168627003