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Publication - Research and analysis

Early learning and childcare expansion programme: evaluation strategy

Published
6 October 2022
From
Chief Social Researcher
Directorate
Early Learning and Childcare Directorate, +1 more … Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education
ISBN
9781804359181

Our strategy for evaluating the impact of the early learning and childcare (ELC) expansion programme to 1140 hours. It is an outcomes-based evaluation strategy and the primary focus is on measuring outcomes for children, parents and carers, and families.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Annex B: Evaluation Theory of Change

ELC outcomes for children
The evaluation theory of change diagram for children’s outcomes sets out the steps through which ‘increased access to high quality, sustained, consistent ELC appropriate to individual child needs’ will lead to improved outcomes for children in the short, medium and longer term, and links the long-term outcomes to National Performance Framework outcomes. For example, ‘More children (2-4 year olds) engaged with high-quality ELC (and for longer)’ – ‘Children experience more play-based/enriching learning experiences’ - ‘Children are enthusiastic and engaged in learning and can concentrate on task’ - ‘Children have improved cognitive development and language skills’ (along with a number of other outcomes) - ‘Children achieve their full potential at every development stage’ (along with a number of other outcomes) - ‘Children’s attainment is raised at every stage at primary school with reductions in educational inequalities’ - ‘Contributes to increased educational attainment amongst young people through secondary school and reductions in educational inequalities’ - ‘More educated workforce with increased participation in the labour market’ - ‘Reduction in poverty’ - ‘We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power’ (NPF)
ELC outcomes for parents
The evaluation theory of change diagram for parents’ outcomes sets out the steps through which ‘Increased knowledge of entitlement (including options) and benefits of ELC’ and ‘Expansion of ELC provision (increase in available hours, and improved accessibility, flexibility and quality of provision’ will lead to improved outcomes for parents and families as a whole in the short, medium and longer term, and links the long-term outcomes to National Performance Framework outcomes. For example, ‘Increased access to appropriate ELC for parents (in particular for those who did not previously use ELC)’ – ‘ Increased uptake of ELC’ - ‘Parents/mothers time freed-up by uptake of additional ELC hours’ (along with a number of other outcomes) - ‘More parents access training and education’ (along with a number of other outcomes) - ‘Increase in parental participation in the labour market (return to work or increased hours work) with parents accessing good quality work (especially mothers)’ - ‘Family disposable income increases’ - ‘Increased spending power’ - ‘Economic growth and stability’ - ‘We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power’ (NPF)

Contact

Email: socialresearch@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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