Community Playgroup Initiative 2001-2004
Background
The Community Playgroup Initiative (cpi) was established and funded by the Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF) in partnership with the former South Eastern Health Board, now Health Service Executive, South Eastern Area (HSE, SEA), and with assistance from the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP). A three-year programme was developed to assist community playgroups to deliver a high-quality sessional service and to identify and evaluate the impact of funding and support on the quality of service provided to children and their families. Among the objectives of cpi were that children and families would benefit, that staff and committees would have opportunities to put ideas into operation and that new skills acquired would have a lasting impact.
Both the KHF and the HSE SEA value community playgroups as a means of family support. They recognise that parents often take part in adult education and personal and community development as a consequence of being involved in community playgroups. It was agreed that KHF would take the lead role in the employment of a co-ordinator and the overall management and supervision of cpi. An inter-agency expert advisory group was then established to assist in the development of cpi and the ongoing work.
The cpi formally began in 2001; a fund was created from which five selected community playgroups could each avail of up to €45,700 over a three-year period, from 2002 to 2004. The playgroups selected to participate were:
- Askea Community Playgroup, Askea, Carlow (Carlow/Kilkenny Community Care Area)
- Slieverue Community Playgroup, Co. Kilkenny (Waterford Community Care Area)
- St Oliver’s Community Playgroup, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (South Tipperary Community Care Area)
- Teach na bPáistí Community Playschool, Ferns, Co. Wexford (Wexford Community Care Area)
- The Rower Inistioge Pre-School, The Rower, Co. Kilkenny (Carlow/Kilkenny Community Care Area)
The evaluation report evidence points to many improvements in the quality of provision as a result of cpi. It is clear that the immediate aims and objectives of cpi have been met. The benefits to the five participating playgroups, the playgroup committees, the communities and, most importantly, to the children and their parents have been extensive. One playgroup described the change as:
“a complete transformation of the group, which would never have been achieved without the money and support; a much higher quality service is now offered” (staff and committee, final evaluation).
The cpi evaluation report has demonstrated that, with developmental support and modest funding, community playgroups can support families and deliver high-quality services that give children positive social interactions and opportunities for active pre-school learning.
Interim Report (Oct 2003)
Half way through the initiative an interim report was published which outlines the detailed progress of the initiative to that point.
Download the interim report - CPI interim report. (
1.1MB)
Final Evaluation Report
Mr. Brian Lenihan, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, officially launched the Evaluation Report of The Community Playgroup Initiative 2001 -2004 in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on Friday 22nd April 2005.
The evaluation was undertaken by Geraldine French, Research Consultant. The methodology applied was formative, which resulted in the children and playgroup practitioners benefitting directly through relfection and support. The Co-ordinator employed was Dr. Mary Daly.
Peter Kieran, Regional Co-ordinator of Child Care Services, HSE SEA said, “The initiative was built on a core belief in the value of good community support systems for the child and his/her family. Both the KHF and the Health Service Executive value the role that community playgroups have as a means of family support, providing early childhood care and education at low cost through a community service.”
Noelle Spring, Development Officer for the Katherine Howard Foundation, stated, “This is an important time in the development of policy regarding the provision of high quality early childhood care and education. There is widespread recognition of the benefits of quality early years interventions that assist young children to reach their potential and nurture their love for lifelong learning. We believe that cpi confirms that community playgroups are an important part of early years provision in Ireland and offer a robust and viable option to parents in seeking childcare for their children. We intend to build on this success and continue to advocate for the inclusion of playgroups in the provision of community based services for children.”Download the final evaluation report - CPI final Evaluation Report. ( 1.1MB)
Download the summary - Summary - CPI Evaluation Report. ( 1.1MB)
A hard copy of the summary can also be obtained by contacting KHF.