Evaulation and Reports

Evaluation

Indicators Project, December 2001 (Word - 1.8Mb)
This report was commissioned from the Centre for Community Child Health to inform the Best Start Project in the development of a small set of indicators of child health, development, learning and well-being for use in the Best Start demonstration projects - which can be monitored at a local level as part of the project evaluation.

Reports

Statewide Evaluation of Best Start - Final Report - September 2006

Best Start has been a considerable success. Sites enthusiastically embraced the opportunities provided by the partnership arrangements to work together locally across the early childhood sector. The statewide evaluation of Best Start confirms the value of continuing Best Start in existing Sites and extending it to other disadvantaged communities. Download the full report Statewide Evaluation of Best Start Final Report (PDF - 7.3Mb)

Statewide Evaluation Progress Report - October 2005

There are many plans and strategies in place across the sites to enhance community engagement. Facilitators report doing this by raising the profile of Best Start in local areas. For instance not only having Best Start activities running, but ensuring they are relevant to the community and community building. Statewide Evaluation Progress Report - October 2005 (PDF - 4.4Mb)

Statewide Evaluation Progress Report - November 2004

The statewide evaluation brought together the results concerning the achievements of each of the 11 individual Best Start demonstration site partnerships to assess the extent to which they individually realise the statewide objectives of the Best Start project. Statewide Evaluation Progress report Oct 2004 (PDF - 10.3Mb)

Quarterly Update No.1 - Best Start and Supported Parent Groups and Playgroups - June 2006

The purpose of this update is to provide Best Start, Supported Parent Groups and Playgroups partners and relevant stakeholders with information on the progress of statewide projects, relevant initiatives, resources, training opportunities and contacts across the state. Best Start Quarterly Update No1 (PDF - 61Kb)

Program Overview

Best Start is underpinned by the Victorian State Government's commitment to address inequality and disadvantage, a substantive early year evidence base, a sound involvement in early years service delivery by key government departments and the need to improve service access, quality, responsiveness and coordination.For further information refer to Best Start Program Overview (PDF - 148Kb)

Breaking Cycles Building Futures - March 2005

Breaking Cycles, Building Futures - promoting inclusion of vulnerable families in antenatal and universal early childhood services - March 2005 (PDF - 468Kb). The Brotherhood of St Laurence was commissioned to undertake a key piece of research to support Best Start local partnership to reach vulnerable children and their families. Titled Breaking Cycles Building Futures, the research commenced in March 2003 and has identified barriers preventing vulnerable families from accessing early years services and proposes proven and effective service models and programs fro engagement.

Evidence base

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Review: Consultant Report No 1, 2004 (PDF - 826Kb)
  National Strategies for Improving Indigenous Health and Health Care
  Judith Dwyer, Kate Silburn and Gai Wilson, La Trobe University
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Review: Consultant Report No 6, 2004 (PDF - 375Kb)
  Maternal and Child Health Care Services: Actions in the Primary Health Care Setting to Improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women of Childbearing Age, Infants and Young Children
  Sandra Eades, Menzies School of Health Research
• Summary of Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey (PDF - 26Kb)
• Putting the Picture Together (Gordon Report) July 2002 (PDF - 4.6Mb)
  Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities
• Evidence Based Report, December 2001 (PDF - 371Kb)
  This report was commissioned from the Centre for Community Child Health to provide the Best Start project with a clear overview of the evidence on why and how it is possible to improve the health, well-being and learning of young children through initiatives at a child, family, community or service system level. It is a key resource for Best Start local partnerships. A summary of its key findings is also available.
• Effective Intervention Program Report, December 2001 (PDF - 452Kb)
  This report was commissioned from the Centre for Community Child Health to provide the Best Start project with a clear understanding of international and Australian programs, interventions and services which have been tested and evaluated to demonstrate benefits to young children or their families. The report is a key resource for Best Start local partnerships.

General

Health and Well-being

• Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 1991, 10 Tips for Successful Breastfeeding (PDF - 54Kb)
• Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 1991, 10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed (PDF - 57Kb)
• Community Paediatric Review Vol 13 No 1 May 2004, Reading with Young Children (PDF - 108Kb)
• NSW Centre for Public Health Nutrition, Report on Breastfeeding in NSW 2004 (PDF - 388Kb)
• NSW Centre for Public Health Nutrition, Overview of recent reviews of interventions to promote and support breastfeeding (PDF - 478Kb)
• Health Development Agency, Breastfeeding for Longer - what works? (PDF - 57Kb)
• Centre for Community Child Health, Smith Family, Let's Read Literature Review, March 2004 (PDF - 442Kb)

Education and Schooling

• C.Wylie, J Thompson,E.Hodgen, H.Ferral, C.Lythe, and T. Fijn. Competent Children at 12 (PDF - 1.2Mb)