Abstract
Supported playgroups are a uniquely Australian model of low cost, light touch parent support. Supported playgroups are designed to support families with young children who are disadvantaged or marginalised in order to enrich children’s early learning and developmental opportunities. Supported playgroups are funded across Australia through national, state, and local governments. Despite high community acceptance and government investment, there has been limited research to assess the effectiveness of the sup ported playgroup model. This evaluation of supported playgroups was conducted from July 2014 until July 2016. It was funded by the Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET). Evaluation methodology The evaluation design was driven by a set of re search questions regarding the effectiveness of supported playgroups for enhancing children’s early development and learning; parenting confidence and skills; and , social connectedness. The evaluation also explored the nature of playgroups’ role within communities. In addition, the evaluation aimed to explore the features and success factors that affect the delivery of the supported playgroup model. The evaluation design had four phases. These included: - Phase A: A systematic literature review of national and international literature on playgroup - type programs for parents of young children; - Phase B: An Effectiveness Study which had two components : a repeated measures survey with 212 supported playgroup parents and a single survey with 34 facilitators; - Phase C: A multi - site case study of practices in eight supported playgroups involving interviews and observations; - Phase D: Secondary analyses of quantitative datasets which examined the impact on young children and parents of participation in playgroups. Data used were drawn from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) combined with Playgroup Queensland membership data; the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC); and the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC).