The reports were published by the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes inChildren and Young People's Services, or C4EO, a new consortium oforganisations including the National Children's Bureau, the NationalFoundation for Educational Research and the Social Care Institute forExcellence, and funded by the DCSF.
C4EO is intended to create a 'single and comprehensive picture ofeffective practice' focusing on six Every Child Matters themes: earlyyears, disability, vulnerable children, youth, parents, carers andfamilies, and schools and communities (News, 17 July).
The initial three scoping studies evaluate the leading studies onchildcare, early education, family support and their influence on childoutcomes.
Christine Davies, director of C4EO, said, 'The three scoping studieshave considered over 550 publications, demonstrating the rigorousmethodology we are following to develop a "what works" knowledge bankthat will give professionals working in early years the very best,reliable information.'
The first study focused on the seminal findings in the EPPE research of2004, asking what specific approaches to integration of education andcare had been able to produce measureable improved outcomes forchildren.
The effect of family-based support on outcomes was the subject of thesecond study. It found that early intervention and delivery had to bespecialised to succeed, with evidence of culturally specific programmesimproving the attendance of families from minority ethnic groups.
The third study looked at how wide the attainment gap was betweenchildren of different backgrounds, and concluded that when quality earlychildhood education was provided, the same outcomes are experienced bychildren from diverse backgrounds.
The early years theme in the work of C4EO will continue until March2010.
Further information
www.c4eo.org.uk/themes/earlyyears/index.asp.
