ERIC Number: EJ1150678
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
Tasmania's Child and Family Centres: A Place-Based Early Childhood Services Model for Families and Children from Pregnancy to Age Five
Early Child Development and Care, v187 n10 p1496-1510 2017
Tasmania's child and family centres (Centres) provide a single entry point to early childhood services (ECS) for children and families living in amongst the most disadvantaged communities in Australia. This study investigated the impact of Centres on parents' use and experiences of ECS using a mixed methods approach. The results showed that Centre users made more use of ECS than did non-users. Centre users also rated their experiences of ECS more positively than non-users. For example, Centre users were more likely to report that ECS were convenient and close, committed to helping, and worked closely with one another. Centre users identified Centres as informal, accessible, responsive, non-judgemental and supportive places where they felt valued, respected and safe. Parents experienced Centres as welcoming places that were helping them to develop positive child, family, school and community connections. These qualities appeared critical for facilitating parental access and engagement in ECS.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Early Childhood Education, Child Care Centers, Family Programs, Disadvantaged, Early Intervention, Mixed Methods Research, Program Effectiveness, Attitude Measures, Parent Attitudes, Family School Relationship, Parent Child Relationship, School Community Relationship, Parent Participation, Surveys, Focus Groups, Interviews, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A