Background/History

In the fall of 2005, the BC Early Childhood Development [ECD] Funders agreed to work together to test whether it was possible to identify and agree upon common child outcomes for BC. After reviewing relevant research [see BC Evaluation Project Report], the BC ECD Funders network adopted the following vision and ultimate outcomes for ECD in BC:

Vision: Children are healthy and develop to their full potential.

Ultimate [or Long Term] Outcomes:

1. Mothers are healthy and give birth to healthy infants who remain healthy.
2. Children experience healthy early child development, including optimal early learning and care.
3. Parents are empowered and supported to nurture and support their children
4. Communities support the development of all children and families.

These four Ultimate Outcomes reflect the reporting requirements of the provinces to the federal government and most ECD programs in BC have one or more of these goals. The next steps in the process involve developing evaluation frameworks [logic models and tools] for each of these four Outcomes. Some key principles that have guided the creation of the evaluation are:

• Purpose of the evaluation is clear
• Information collected is useful
• The tools are simple to use
• One report can be used for multiple funders
• Users are involved in the design
• Support is provided to build local evaluation capacity [training, User Guide, resources and contact person]

The process for developing the evaluations for each of the four outcomes involves:

• Developing a logic model which shows the chain of events that link activities to results
• Developing tools to collect the data
• Involving a trial group of users in reviewing the logic model and tools and then pilot testing the tools
• Ensuring users receive their data, along with suggestions on how to interpret the data
• Refining the process and tools based upon what is learned in the pilot
• Providing opportunities for ECD groups throughout BC to participate in the evaluation.

The first evaluation that was developed related to the Outcome #4:

Communities support the development of all children and families.

In 2008, 60 communities throughout BC have participated in the evaluation for this Outcome.  In 2009, 80 communities have participated.

Work is also progressing on developing the evaluation for Outcome #3:

Parents and families have the knowledge, resources and support they need to help their children develop to their full potential.

Work has not yet started on the development of the evaluations for Ultimate Outcomes #1 and #2.