A variety of sources have identified the need for a coordinated approach to Early Childhood Development [ECD] and a common evaluation framework – or a shared measurement approach.

There are advantages for both funders and agencies in using a common evaluation system. For funders, the advantages are that the system will provide:

  • The provincial picture - a consistent accountability structure for measuring the outcomes of early childhood development programs province wide
  • Reduced duplication of effort in designing evaluation systems among funders
  • Information that will supplement Early Development Instrument [EDI] research - the EDI tells us about children's vulnerabilities, but for the most part we don't know how changes over time influence the EDI results.
  • Data on outcomes that can provide evidence to support sustainable provincial funding for ECD, parenting and family support programs

For agencies, the advantages of a common evaluation system are:

  • A simple, community based approach to program evaluation
  • Systems that can assist with program planning and strengthening services
  • Annual data that can demonstrate the impact of programs
  • Reduction in the burden of reporting results to multiple funders