Measuring the Success of Better Beginnings
A comprehensive evaluation to provide evidence of the program outcomes is recognized as being vital to the long term success of Better Beginnings.
Edith Cowan University has evaluated the pilot program and preliminary findings show that the project is raising awareness amongst parents of the importance of reading to their baby.
Findings from a pilot evaluation in 2004 found 97 per cent of parents viewed sharing books with babies as important and were more likely to do so after taking part in Better Beginnings. Almost half of parents who had not previously been library members joined the library.
Early outcomes from the pilot evaluation are evident in these quotes from parents:
It’s something special for the child – it [reading] gives a head start…and…It’s [the toolkit] a very good idea to encourage reading.
Loved the book with the built in handle - baby loves looking at the babies in the book.
It’s something special for the child – it [reading] gives a head start…and…It’s [the toolkit] a very good idea to encourage reading.
It’s a great whole idea [Better Beginnings] especially for the rural areas to know about the library and other services around.
I loved the book – it provoked a discussion among friends.
Good book. I liked the fact it reinforces the role of parents in promoting literacy.
“Reading has become part of our night routine. My son really enjoys it.”
The complete report of the pilot is available here for download (PDF 1.7mb).
Edith Cowan Longitudinal Study
This relationship between the State Library of WA and the Edith Cowan University will continue to allow a longitudinal study of parents and children who have been impacted by Better Beginnings.
This will allow a high quality research focus on the longer term outcomes of an early intervention program like Better Beginnings. Evaluation methods will include phone surveys, in-person interviews and focus groups with parents, child health nurses and library staff assessing the program’s impact.
State Library of WA Evaluation of Better Beginnings
In partnership with our public library partners the state library is collecting a range of qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate the reach and extent of the Better Beginnings initiatives. Stay tuned for highlights from our internal reports.